Apprentice Civil Engineer Review
at Balfour Beatty
Degree Apprenticeship
Construction
Birmingham
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
3.8 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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:
3/5
Day to day I function as a site engineer, this involves a lot working out on site using a range of technical instruments such as Total stations, laser levels and GPS. My job mostly comprises of setting out given designs for gangs on site and some level of surveying for design levels.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the opportunities given to me by the company, I am getting a wealth of experience of a range of different setting out opportunities. My team is highly supportive and I know I can turn to them and ask when I'm unsure or want to learn something new. The experience has been a great one so far, I'm enjoying it so much.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have great support from the team around me, there is an in-depth developmental curriculum which covers a range of personal development skills. I am undertaking a degree with a university which caters to a cohort of just degree apprentices. The difference between the skills learnt on site and the technical knowledge provided by university is worlds apart. The experience on site is so valuable.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The structure of my program is quite in depth, I have a graduates and apprentices emerging talent which caters to CPD and personal development skills as ell as a separate curriculum of training for the apprentices which caters to specific enrichments and training including setting out courses etc. All the support is there where I need it, I have time to study an balance my role as an engineer. My entire team plays a role in mentoring me.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I get a lot of support from my team and manager when I have an issue I know that I can turn to anyone for help. My mentor is always very understanding of bits and pieces that I need and when I need to take time to study. Everyone has a good attitude.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have access to both a personal tutor and a degree apprentice tutor who both cater to different roles, one focusing on any personal needs at the uni and one that focuses on CPD and monitoring the trackers I keep up with for my apprenticeship. They do not overwhelm me with work and keep the workload reasonable. The lecturers are always there for help when you need it and encourage questions. I enjoy doing my degree part time with LJMU.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
a lot of civil engineering degrees cater to design, which isn't an area that I have a lot of experience in. Although, it helps explain things that I see on site its something that is less relevant to me. The experience of the job is worlds apart from that done on site, it better prepares me for working full-time and explains why many graduates are very out depth at the start.
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
Yes, thy offer a lot of sports opportunities and people like to fund raise, theres plenty of professional off opportunities to network and although sport isn't really my bag its there. They also offer the Brathay challenge where the apprentices go away together and do a lot of different challenges such as raft building.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The support offered by everyone that I have had interactions with is great, there are many people within my team that make living away from home a lot more bearable. They're accommodating in asking where you want to go for uni, and support you in enrolment. They give you the experience that you need to flourish as an engineer.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Balfour Beatty?
Make sure that you show that you have a passion for engineering, that you can work well as a team and that you are happy to take on a challenge. The interview is about showing that you have a spark to learn and happy to get your hands dirty. Its best just to show who you are as a person rather than try to fluff it up with false promises. The enrolment moves quickly, and the application is quite easy, as you often just send your CV into the recruiter.
