Apprentice Transport Planning Technician Review

My day to day work is extremely varied, and has changed throughout my placement. In my first team, I was engaging with contractors and ensuring planned works were safe. In my second team, I was reviewing planning applications to ensure they were sufficiently considering impacts on the transport network, and recommending proposals for improvement. In my third placement, I have been providing a coherent voice on behalf of TFL at meetings with HS2, and sponsoring schemes to reduce negative impacts of their construction works.

I have developed my time management skills through managing a varied workload, presented to numerous different audiences and improved by presentation skills, and compiled some detailed reports which have assisted my report writing skills. Furthermore, I have learnt how to use GIS and other transport packages, and gained a variety of new computer skills.

Everyone I have worked with has been very friendly and happy to help, and you feel like an extremely valued member of the team. The company itself is great to work for, as they provide excellent employee benefits and allow you to have a good work/life balance. It has certainly exceeded my expectations.

I enjoy my work with TFL as it is such a varied scheme with the opportunity to achieve so much. You can focus on the areas of most interest to yourself, and have the potential to make good impressions for an excellent career with the company. We receive lots of support from our mentors, sponsors, and placement managers.

We receive lots of support from the employer, who is dedicated to ensuring a good work/life balance and allowing us access to skills training. There is a "door always open" culture which allows apprentices to ask questions whenever necessary, without feeling like we're in the way. They have been very supportive in my extra curricular activities such as participating in site visits.

This scheme is brilliant because we undertake our studies on block release which allows us to complete all assignments for college outside of work, where we can fully concentrate on our learning and not worry about work. This takes places in 6x fortnight blocks over the two year apprenticeship and is in my opinion the best way.

At first I thought that learning the theory would have little impact in my day job. However, as I have progressed through the company I have really understood the value of my diploma as it has helped to build a foundation of understanding in this field that I would not have had without attending college.

The graduate/apprentice committee at TFL is very active and organises networking socials on a regular basis, along with lunch and learn sessions, and site visits to explore parts of the business unseen by many. There are opportunities to become a STEM ambassador, and participate in the Innovate TFL scheme - both of which involve working with young people to encourage them to undertake a career in transport planning.

Yes

This has easily been the best organisation that I have worked for. It is so good to feel valued at work, and everyone is so friendly and helpful. You are not degraded as an apprentice, and have so many brilliant opportunities. Furthermore, the benefits of being an employee at TFL are amazing - such as free travel, 30 days annual leave, a wide variety of discounts, and smart working to allow a good work/life balance.

The application process includes some online testing before being invited to participate in a video interview, which can seem daunting. The next stage involved an assessment centre where we completed a group exercise, before having a face to face interview. The onboarding process is well defined and simple, giving you all the information you need.