Apprentice Environmental Advisor Review

Managing the environment of the site, including the management of: water, dust, vegetation and ecology. This involves approving and supervising sensitive works, and working with a variety of contractors to both procure materials and organise works.

I have not only learnt a vast amount about environmental constraints surrounding my role, but also how a business functions (from my business administration apprenticeship), and general knowledge around construction and working on construction projects.

I have enjoyed this programme a lot. There is a lot of support for apprentices in the company, and I have found the apprenticeship experience to have best equipped me to progress with my career. Personally I am an environmental advisor, but do a business administration apprenticeship. At times I have found this though as they differ so much, so if I had the opportunity I would definitely choose an apprenticeship with similarities to my job role. However, from the company's side there has been plenty of support with developing my environmental knowledge, so I wouldn't chnage anything there.

Within Costain the apprenticeship programme is well supported, which makes it well organised from that side. I have found the structure and organisation from the training provider to be wooly at times though, and the support from them hasn't been where it could be throughout the apprenticeship.

From Costain I have received so much supported and opportunities to develop my environmental understanding, including guidance through accredited environmental qualifications, and providing a clear pathway for career progression. For my business administration apprenticeship, I have been allowed additional time within work to focus on that, which I have found to be beneficial.

I get a fair amount of support from my training provider in terms of course content and end point assessment preparation. However, at times I have found them to be poorly organised with lectures and marking assignments, which has hindered the rate of apprenticeship completion. I have found the business administration apprenticeship useful and really helped my understanding behind how companies run.

My qualification is business administration, which is completely unrelated to my environmental role. I have had to take an unrelated qualification due to there not being an environmental related apprenticeship locally. Having said this though, the apprenticeship has given me valuable knowledge behind business, finance and conducting myself professionally, some of which has been applicable to my role.

There have been plenty of extra-curricular activities. There are regular dinner and drinks catch up with the project team outside of work, in addition to sporting groups such as badminton which I have taken part in. As part of the SHE team I have also been fortunate enough to be apart of the SHE Graduates Academy which has been great for networking and improving my confidence, I think some off the ideas from the Academy should be taken to the apprenticeship cohort, to improve networking and the support for apprentices.

Yes

I have found it to be a company which supports its employees to the best of their ability, and the apprenticeship programme has been perfect for starting my career, with a clear career progression pathway.

If you are starting your career, I found my summer placement prior to my apprenticeship to be so helpful in deciding whether i wanted to work for the company and pursue the role as a career. I also think that the number of summer placements Costain does should be increased wherever possible in all sectors. But in terms of advice, I have found that as an apprentice and starting this role from complete scratch with no prior knowledge at all, that its work ethic and a positive attitude that will get you further than anything else. As long as you show interest and are willing to work hard then prior knowledge in that field isn't necessary at all. You will also gain more respect from colleagues and improve your networking and opportunities this way, which in the end is what most ensures career progression.