highways apprentice Review

I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, which has allowed me to learn many new skills. Daily, I work on CAD, including both 2D and 3D software; helping to update drawings and complete design work. On another project I review Public Rights of Way, so I am undertaking review work. I work within a project team who I get on well with and this makes my experience at Arup even better. Once a week I attend Solihull College to complete a Btec in Civil Engineering.

I have learnt how to use MicroStation and PowerCivil, which involves doing 2D and 3D design work. I have found the work challenging but rewarding as I have learnt a multitude of new skills and I am able to do the majority of the work independently. Report writing is another skill I have enhanced since starting the apprenticeship, as learning how to assess data is an aspect of the apprenticeship I have particularly found interesting.

I really enjoy it, as I joined Arup alongside 14 other apprentices, so we have all experienced it together and helped each other, which has been great. Also, I love having the opportunity to work on different projects and undertake different types of work, as I am gaining a variety of new skills which I can use on future projects.

The induction involved myself and the other apprentices joining Arup completing a number of online training courses. Completing the courses with the apprentices was really helpful as it allowed us all to get to know each other before meeting our teams. You are assigned both a buddy and a mentor, which I think is brilliant as these are two points of contact whereby you can go to for support throughout the apprenticeship. The project team I work for are really supportive and will spend time going through how to do work that I have not done before. There is also lots of support available with college work.

The support I have received from my line manager and mentor has in particular been outstanding. If you have any work related or personal issues, they are extremely supportive and prioritise your wellbeing over anything else. Support with work and any health issues is readily available, which is fantastic. Members of your project team are more than happy to spend time with you to help you with work.

The support I have received from Solihull College has varied throughout the two year apprenticeship. During the first year, the support we received was great and we were able to go to tutors if we needed help with anything. In particular the teaching for Structural Analysis has been fantastic, as the tutor will spend time going over it, so that it makes sense to everyone in the class. The only downside I would say is that due to Covid-19, the second half of our second year needed to be completed from home, but we were not kept up to date with what was happening in regards to our assignments or given much help. When emailing in particular one tutor, on a number of occasions they would not reply. However, this feedback does not apply to all of the tutors as one tutor set up online lectures with us every week which I found really useful.

I have learnt some useful information from the Btec about different aspects of civil engineering. I have been able to use this information as a basis to aid my understanding of different tasks I have had to complete at work. The Btec is particularly helpful as you learn about a variety of topics, such as health and safety, civil engineering, CAD and structural mechanics.

There are a number of sports teams that you are able to join and my team set up social events such as a sports day at lunchtime in the summer and a trip to the German Market, amongst a number of other social events. A number of the apprentices also organise social events which has been great to get to know each other better.

Yes

I really enjoy the work I have been able to do, including 2D and 3D design work. The team I work in are very welcoming and they ensure that you get the help you need throughout the apprenticeship, so that you don't feel overwhelmed. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first two years at Arup and would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of taking a Civil Engineering Apprenticeship.

Work hard and try your best and you will get the most out of the apprenticeship! If you keep on top of your college work then it is manageable alongside work. Don't be afraid to ask for help, as you will quickly learn that people are more than happy to help you.