Degree Apprentice - Civil Engineering & Site Management Review

Due to the length of my course I will be rotated around most of the companies departments in civil engineering & site management. My daily roles currently include anything from basic administration to health and safety inspections out on site.

From the University side of things, yes. From the working itself it is hard to quantify as you use what you learn everyday and it becomes normal. I know that a lot of what I do I have done in the past but with practice comes development and refinement

The university is hard but the people there are sound and I enjoy being around them. The company can offer me a lot of development and potentially a lot of opportunities. My first team of people I am working with are great and my first 6 months have been enjoyable for it.

Difficult to put a pin on this one... My team members are not only EDF but also other companies like Jacobs and KBJV. Currently as an apprentice it is nice, I feel like I can help the team and not hinder them, but attributing this to the parent company would be an odd choice as it is really a team specific thing.

As we are the first year of people doing this... it is a bit of a mess logistically. Things are looking up organisation wise for the future but it is a slow progress! The induction is the same for all new members, training is there but currently only in the fundamental 'you have to learn this to go on site' level things. Support is lacking as we are here to work full time jobs with only marginal time to do coursework. From the university side, there were teething issues but most issues have been resolved now and it is a good experience there. My EDF mentor is really helpful and has been a great resource of knowledge.

An amount I am content with, there are a lot of online resources to use and work from and there is time to ask questions of the teachers at Uni. As an organisation, Exeter University does well.

University wise they are lacking in the support aspect but within the job support my team is amazing. There is always someone around you that has done what you are doing before or similar so can lend a hand. nurturing is a way I would describe it... they know I'm not going to know what they do yet and they account for that.

It is better than the usual apprentice wage so I cannot complain too much, the location is lacking a little bit so for food etc. you are forced to spend money on site and it isn't the cheapest! Social costs are... well fine, due to the hours you work and the travel time to it there is little time for socialising aside for the weekend.

The location of the job is technically in the middle of nowhere so there isn't a 'community' near us, but I suppose we are a small town in and of ourselves. I am sure on different sites and different jobs there would be more opportunities that what I have but currently not so much! This being said, I have been to one company event so far and that was a nice experience.

Yes

Its a start to a good and potentially bright future, I believe if I can make it through the hard work of the degree apprenticeship, my experience and knowledge obtained here will put me on track for a promising career in engineering.

Re/DegreeApprenticeApplication: Don't be shy, it'll help you in the group stages and learn some information about concrete, civils love concrete ;)