Civil Engineering Apprentice (Year 2) Review

My role typically consists of general site engineer activities, such as setting out, carrying out as-built surveys and communicating with other members of my team and internal/eternal stakeholders to ensure quality, safety and environmental compliance on site. Thus far, I have gained experience in bulk earthworks, utility diversion, and structures, which has provided great learning opportunities.

I have learnt and developed many new skills over the duration of my apprenticeship thus far, such as communication, problem solving and lateral thinking skills. I have become more confident in working within my team to ensure a desirable project outcome. I am regularly given training opportunities through BAM to develop some of my learning into competencies.

I thoroughly enjoy the apprenticeship programme with BAM. The training opportunities I am given allow me to gain some of the same competencies as qualified professionals, which contributes to my professional development. By having a mixture of classroom and on-site time, I am able to develop both my technical knowledge in the field but also apply it to my full-time role.

The programme is 5.5 years in duration, split into two halves (Level 4 for two years, then levels 5 and 6 thereafter). The first two years of the programme consist of attending one 9-week college block per year, before spending the remainder of each year based on a project in the role of a senior site technician full-time. For the remainder of the apprenticeship upon progression onto the degree, the study arrangement is weekly block study release. The apprenticeship will see me gain EngTech and IEng accreditation with the ICE.

My team on site are very supportive in allowing me enough time to complete my studies (off-the-job hours, college and end-point assessment work), and frequently support networking invitations I receive through one of BAMs inclusivity groups, Future BAM. BAM covers the cost of my education and training opportunities whilst providing me with a salary at the same time, which I find to be a very beneficial arrangement.

Leeds College of Building (lecturers and course staff) have been extremely supportive throughout both of my 9-week college blocks, and have supported me right up to the completion of my Level 4 HNC in Civil Engineering. One of the benefits of studying at Leeds College of Building is the lecturer-to-student ratio, as there are often only around 20 students per class, meaning students have the opportunity of having more contact time with their lecturers. Many of the lecturers have come straight out of industry too, meaning they are extremely knowledgeable in their subejcts. I am looking forwards to continuing onto my degree with this great provider.

My HNC in Civil Engineering allows me to approach my role from a technical viewpoint, allowing me to problem solve and build up my experience in the many different aspects of my role on site. Qualification units I found to be useful in providing me a foundation of knowledge include geotechnics & soil mechanics, science & materials, and surveying & setting out.

One of BAM's inclusion networks is called Future BAM, a group which organises site visits to many of the projects in the UK and Ireland along with social activity opportunities. I have progressed from a member, to a network champion into a committee role in just 18 months, and I am now assisting in organising site visits, webinars, a study trip, and a BAM Yorkshire 3 Peaks volunteering day with the network.

Yes

For many of the reasons stipulated in my responses to the questions above. I feel that BAM and the individuals within the company care about the progression of young people within the business as future leaders. The training opportunities that BAM provides to apprentices is second to none, and the range of site experience I am gaining is amazing.

Spend as much time as possible refining your CV prior to applying for a role to allow your application to stand out. Include any past employment/work experience you may have had alongside highlighting some of the key skills you are able to bring to the business. If you are given the opportunity to attend one of the early careers assessment centres, then engage, ask questions and demonstrate your interest in the scheme you are applying for. Best of luck!