Town Planner Review

by Arup

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8/10

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

My role varies day to day, can go from stakeholder engagement to planning applications - writing reports, researching, organising meetings etc

9/10

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

Work-life balance is challenging, I have learnt a lot more about planning than I ever did at uni, I have developed my report writing skills, confidence in talking to people etc

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

It has been a hard adjustment and sometimes very overwhelming (mentally and physically) but I have enjoyed it and all the learning that has come with - my team and the people that I have met / the company has already made that experience too

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

On behalf of the company, it is the first year doing my type of apprenticeship but it has been really well organised and having a manager that understands the programme has been really beneficial. The university has been slightly more chaotic but also very well organised. I think because it is new it is a learning curve for everyone.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

more than enough - they have understood the balance and given me more than enough time to cope with both aspects

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

I have a tutor and lots of guidance throughout the course on current activities but also how it is going to play out in the future.

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

To a certain extent it helps with the policy background side of things but overall I would say the extent of my knowledge comes from the job

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Not currently - this is something that I would like to change going forward

1/10

9a. Would you recommend Arup to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Because of how holistic the company is - it has so many benefits to it, the self development, the people employed are so nice and willing to push you, they don't underestimate you ability and really chuck you in the deep end too which I think is really good

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arup?

be yourself and ask the question of why arup is for you and why you fit into arup based on their morals and the projects that they take on