Trainee Technician Review
at Norfolk County Council
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Norwich
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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
I am currently on a departmental rotation. Each year I will be placed in a different sector of the highways and infrastructure department. For this year I am in the highways design team. This involves project managing highway maintenance or improvement schemes and doing engineering design work for said scheme. I conduct site visits, draft engineering plans, specify materials and construction details, meet with contractors, consult residents and authorities, direct contractors to construct schemes to my design. I also have been drafting traffic regulation orders to direct to the legal team. These allow for speed limits or restrictions to be placed on road networks.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy most of the work I do. Like all jobs there are good and bad parts, but the vast majority of the work is engaging and interesting. I am able to learn a lot of new information which I very much enjoy. The team I am placed with are very helpful and I get on with them well. The overall culture at work is good, most seem to enjoy their work and there are lots of great perks to be accessed at the council.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed my existing skills in AutoCAD, I am now able to make a full drawing without asking for assistance regularly. I have also developed many new skills. I am far more confident with my networking and communication skills, being able to hold meetings and correspond with members of the public. I am developing my project management skills, keeping track of multiple schemes and ensuring projects are delivered on time and in budget. My writing skills have also improved, I am able to draft legal notices and public consultation documents with only minor adjustments needed from the comms team.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The structure works well, however I think it could be improved by distributing the management of apprentices to more than one person in the department. This would help to improve communication between apprentices and their line managers.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a lot of support from my team. If I get stuck with something I know I can ask for help. However, there is a bit of a feeling that everyone is very busy so it can sometimes feel difficult to interrupt someone's time to ask a question. Majority of the time isn't an issue however. There are authority wide services for support with other things like transport, health, and wellbeing.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
We get a lot of support from college. The tutors are always happy to answer questions and give us what guidance they can on things like assessments. I have been able to access exams support to get adjustments for my additional needs.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification has allowed me to gain wider industry knowledge. It has greatly helped with things such as health and safety which can be complex in my role. The tutors are all experienced in industry and so have a lot of knowledge to share. My writing skills have improved as well.
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
There is a vast array of CPD to take advantage of. There are a lot of clubs to partake in if they align with your interests. There is also an on campus social club which sound pretty good, I am yet to visit it yet however.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Norfolk County Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have been integrated well into a team, I feel as though I am not only learning but that I am also a valued professional. The pay exceeds the industry standard for this type of apprenticeship which is very much appreciated. The culture at work is also great, most seem friendly and good networking is allowed and encouraged.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Norfolk County Council?
Remember to ask questions and take advantage of any information you can gain. Be enthusiastic and get stuck in. Be prepared for a challenging workload and use all the tools provided to manage it. Also, if in doubt, ask. People will be pleased to help you if you need it.
