Apprentice civil engineer Review
at BAM
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering, Construction
Manchester
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a civil engineer apprentice, you will never have two days that are the same. The job is a mix of site and office work which means it is fast-paced, interesting, and very enjoyable.
The office work consists of managing permits, writing task briefs, working on cad, quality assurance, and planning site works. These tasks help me to gain a great understanding of procedures and methodologies.
Personally, I find the site work more interesting. When on-site you experience a vast range of engineering disciplines. Some of my daily work consists of surveying, setting out, levelling, and the traversal of points. Furthermore, this work enables me to practice using engineering instruments such as a total station, dummy level, laser level, and GNSS.
The office work consists of managing permits, writing task briefs, working on cad, quality assurance, and planning site works. These tasks help me to gain a great understanding of procedures and methodologies.
Personally, I find the site work more interesting. When on-site you experience a vast range of engineering disciplines. Some of my daily work consists of surveying, setting out, levelling, and the traversal of points. Furthermore, this work enables me to practice using engineering instruments such as a total station, dummy level, laser level, and GNSS.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy the apprenticeship. It is well-structured and delivered. Also, this apprenticeship has helped me gain lots of site experience and industry knowledge. Moreover, you are learning all this knowledge and experience whilst being paid a competitive salary.
I could not have gained any of this by going to university.
I could not have gained any of this by going to university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
When I started the apprenticeship, I had no site experience. However, this has not been an issue. Everyone I have worked with has apricated that I am new to the industry, and my colleagues have helped me learn new skills. When I started the apprenticeship, I had no site experience. However, this has not been an issue. Everyone I have worked with has apricated that I am new to the industry, and my colleagues have helped me learn new skills.
Like I said in question one, I have learned how to create formal task briefs, complete permits, use engineering equipment, complete topographic surveys, set out, stake out and traverse.
Like I said in question one, I have learned how to create formal task briefs, complete permits, use engineering equipment, complete topographic surveys, set out, stake out and traverse.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The structure of the apprenticeship works incredibly well.
For the apprenticeship, you complete all your learning in a nine-week college block which means you can spend the rest of the year on-site.
Due to this, it means that you can entirely focus on all your college work and spend time with lots of the other apprentices. Likewise, this also means you can spend an entire year on a project. Therefore, this means you can learn a lot and become an integrated part of the team.
For the apprenticeship, you complete all your learning in a nine-week college block which means you can spend the rest of the year on-site.
Due to this, it means that you can entirely focus on all your college work and spend time with lots of the other apprentices. Likewise, this also means you can spend an entire year on a project. Therefore, this means you can learn a lot and become an integrated part of the team.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I have had lots of help since starting the apprenticeship. All the teachers at college were excellent and clearly explained all the work and they help you get the highest grade possible.
When I joined Transpennine route upgrade, I was placed on a great site with an outstanding team. The whole team, especially the engineers, have really helped me learn and gather a wide range of skills. Likewise, they apricate that I am very new to the industry, so they are happy to tell me how to do things more than once.
Also, the workers on site have been very helpful by telling me all the site procedures and showing me how to do a variety of tasks.
When I joined Transpennine route upgrade, I was placed on a great site with an outstanding team. The whole team, especially the engineers, have really helped me learn and gather a wide range of skills. Likewise, they apricate that I am very new to the industry, so they are happy to tell me how to do things more than once.
Also, the workers on site have been very helpful by telling me all the site procedures and showing me how to do a variety of tasks.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
BAM tries to help progress their employee’s careers as much as possible.
As part of the apprenticeship, the company and Leeds college of building enables us to achieve a bachelor’s degree and chartership. Therefore, this means you can gain industry experience whilst getting excellent qualifications.
Also, my project put me through Personal track safety and AC/DC courses. The personal track safety allows me to work on the track, and the AC/DC enables me to work on electrified lines. Without the PTS, I would not be able to work on my current site, and it would limit what sites I could work on.
As part of the apprenticeship, the company and Leeds college of building enables us to achieve a bachelor’s degree and chartership. Therefore, this means you can gain industry experience whilst getting excellent qualifications.
Also, my project put me through Personal track safety and AC/DC courses. The personal track safety allows me to work on the track, and the AC/DC enables me to work on electrified lines. Without the PTS, I would not be able to work on my current site, and it would limit what sites I could work on.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The college courses are tailored to the apprenticeship this means you gain knowledge of the industry before you start on your project. For example, one of the courses I studied was surveying. The courses are purposely designed to prepare you for working on site.
As part of the apprenticeship, you work towards K.S.Bs, this means that you need to achieve/reach criteria. Also, by completing the K.S.Bs, it ensures that you have enough industry experience to graduate from the apprenticeship.
However, you will learn much more on your project than in college.
As part of the apprenticeship, you work towards K.S.Bs, this means that you need to achieve/reach criteria. Also, by completing the K.S.Bs, it ensures that you have enough industry experience to graduate from the apprenticeship.
However, you will learn much more on your project than in college.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
Whilst in Leeds (for the nine-week block) there were lots of extracurricular activities. It was a great experience as we spent lots of time with all the other apprentices. Also, while we (1st years) were there, the third years were there. This meant we asked them questions about their experiences and projects.
However, at work/site there are not any extracurricular activities.
However, at work/site there are not any extracurricular activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I really enjoy the apprenticeship. It is well-structured and delivered. Also, this apprenticeship has helped me gain lots of site experience and industry knowledge. Moreover, you are learning all this knowledge and experience whilst being paid a competitive salary.
I could not have gained any of this by going to university.
I could not have gained any of this by going to university.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAM?
PREPARATION IS KEY!
When applying for the job, you must have a basic knowledge of both the role and the company. For example, you should show that your values reflect the BAM's. Furthermore, expressing your passion for the industry and job will show how much you want the apprenticeship.
If you get an interview, try and practice potential interviews questions.
Also, try and relax- it is a nervous experience to apply for a job.
When applying for the job, you must have a basic knowledge of both the role and the company. For example, you should show that your values reflect the BAM's. Furthermore, expressing your passion for the industry and job will show how much you want the apprenticeship.
If you get an interview, try and practice potential interviews questions.
Also, try and relax- it is a nervous experience to apply for a job.
