Apprentice civil engineer Review

by BAM

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.4/10

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

Setting out and surveying, managing subcontractors, using CAD to transfer drawings to site, material take offs, completing site diaries, giving site inductions

9/10

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

Am always learning whilst out on site, and have learnt to use new software and instruments. Have also learnt about subcontractor management and workplace skills

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the programme - the first college block was great to get to know the other apprentices and I enjoy working on site and with the site teams

9/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The college/ placement structure is good as you can separate work responsibilities and college work. The overall course seems to be well structured

8/10

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

I am very well supported on my site placement. The contact with the employer was also good whilst at college although the inital transfer to placement wasn't as smooth as I would have liked

9/10

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

Whilst at college the tutors and staff were really good and were really helpful, although for the ongoing research unit whilst on site, we haven't had much support

8/10

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

Some of the college units are very relevant to my job roles so gave me some inital knowledge for my first site placement. Others are less relevant right now but will be useful in the future/ in other areas of civil engineering.

6/10

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.)

At college there were sports teams to get involved with such as football, and on site there are often team meals out in the evenings. Not as much as there would have been because of covid

8/10

9a. Would you recommend BAM to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The course itself I feel will give me a really good start to my career, and Bam looks after its employees including the apprentices very well. Having a block release course has also allowed me to enjoyed the student experience whilst at college and make friends with the other apprentices.

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

Familiarise yourself with the company's values as well as some of the current and past projects. Be confident at the assessment centre and make sure what you choose to talk about interests you. It's important to ensure the company is right for you as well as you being right for them so ask any questions you have.