Trainee Civil Engineer Review
at BAM
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.8 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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:
4/5
Day to day activities as a trainee civil engineer include survey and setting out. You have more responsibility to complete these tasks alone. This could include using site equipment such as the totals station and laser levels. You would be involved in sitting in planning meeting with your team, reading construction drawings and using software such as Autodesk civil 3D
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy being able to manage completing my degree along side getting site experience working as a civil engineer. Real life site experience. I have the possibility to move sites to see a range of civil engineering projects. It takes longer to achieve your bachelors than going straight to University . However, I believe the experience, connections and confidence you get from doing an apprenticeships makes this option more desirable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Its exciting to compare what I knew before starting the apprenticeship to now. I had little knowledge about civil engineering including daily tasks an engineer would carry out. I have developed my surveying and setting out skills by shadowing more competent engineers on site as well as theoretical knowledge whilst completing my level 4 qualifications with e learning provider Leeds college of building
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is structured to balance completing exams/coursework and completing site duties. You are given a timetable with dates you will be at college. During the degree apprenticeship you are given a self study week additionally
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I get support from multiple sources at BAM Nuttall. This can be your site 'line manager' or the early careers team . You are given contacts such as HR emails address to contact if needed. I have never worried about who to ask if I have any questions about the job.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Lots of support is given from training providers. They will tell you basic information about the course. Including dates, pathways and deadlines. If it isn't clear they are happy to respond to emails or tell you in person during the college block.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification is relevant to the job . You are able to see the topics you learn about physically on site and then see how they operate in the real world. Being able to visualize what you are learning abut is beneficial as you get a better understanding of it than just reading out of a PowerPoint
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
You can get involved in 'Future Bam' In which I have visited a different project - you can view different civil engineering projects that are different to yours. Thhere are opportunities to go abroad, to see civil engineering achievements from another country. Aswell as this during College extra curricular is offered , such as football and yoga
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Because BAM provides people who want to pursue a career in civil engineering everything they need to do so. Brilliant site experience to become a competent engineer and working with Leeds college of building to achieve the relevant qualifications. Aswell as being paid to do so.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAM?
Make sure you practice typical 'interview questions' be confident answering and be honest. Demonstrate you have a passion for civil engineering , you could bac this up by showing off any work experience you've done.
