Technician Engineer Review

by Laing O'Rourke

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.3/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Technician engineer. Setting out on site, quality control, management of staff, interpretation of drawings and organization of works. One day off a week to attend uni.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Learnt job specific skills and improved time management skills. Amount of job specific knowledge is plentiful and you constantly learn something every day. I also gaining a degree in Civil Engineering.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Enjoy the work and large majority of the people who I work with. Hours are too long and the culture is very fast paced which can lead to mistakes.

8/10

4. How valued do you feel by Laing O'Rourke?

Manager appreciated. Any higher then little appreciated. Can be very difficult to get across what you want to get out of work because everybody is too busy to listen.

4/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Very well structured but can feel isolated from peers in the south. Personal and professional training outside of the course (like MEWP license) is very good.

8/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

Can feel isolated overall. But when needed then very useful. Good communication about major events. HR is slow and complicated and takes a long while for problems to be resolved.

6/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Directly, some and higher up, little. Problems can take a while to solve. The support from Cadet staff is very good. Often don't feel able to share issues/problems as they wont be well received.

5/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

Travel costs mostly covered by company. Living costs just about and social costs are ok. There is opportunity for over time to earn extra income which is good. Basic package is ok considering the free qualification, but compared to some other apprenticeships it is lower.

5/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

None. Long hours and little corporate activities mean time to do anything outside work is non-existent. Hobbies have to take a back seat and work takes over 6 days a week.

1/10

9. Would you recommend Laing O'Rourke to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Gain a free qualification with a lot of experience. Good insight into the industry and builds you as a person. For someone who doesn't want to go to university then it is ideal.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Laing O'Rourke?

Consider the long hours. If it is something you really want to do, then great. If not, look for other options. There are many opportunities to gain experience and qualifications which are useful for life after Laing O'Rourke.