Apprentice Water Engineer Review
at Arup
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Sheffield
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
4/5
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Skills Development
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
Working with clients on business cases in relation to flood prevention. Using a variety of software's to produce data to support the flood solutions that have been designed. Producing a variety of deliverables to present potential solutions for flooding to the clients. Not just working on the engineering side of projects but the economic, and other disciplines.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy learning about the software's and how that then relates to coming up with solutions. The processing of data to create something useful is very interesting to me. I find what we are learning at university interesting but the most interesting thing to me is linking it back to real life work that is going on.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt how to use a variety of software's such as ArcPro, FME, Infoworks ICM, Civil 3D and Scalgo. My English skills have improved since starting this apprenticeship, alongside my general computer skills. I have also found my communication skills with work colleagues and clients has vastly improved since working at Arup.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Going to university once a week works well with this role. I can ask people at work to help me with university things. Also, I still feel like I'm part of the team , the university day just seems to flow easily into the work week and it doesn't feel too disjointed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My line manager is always supporting me to a high level. I can turn to her with whatever query and if she doesn't know the answer, she will either find it out for me or point me in the right direction. The whole team has supported me amazingly, they've made me feel welcomed and part of the team, even though they've never had an apprentice before.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I get support from the university on the day that I am in. But I find emails don't always get replied to, queries can sometimes be ignored. I also feel like the university doesn't always understand the pressures of an apprenticeship, the fact that we have a full time job on top of the course, and they don't always think about what is best for apprentices.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I think the qualification gives me a good basic background knowledge of civil engineering, which in turn means I can understand the tasks at work more. Having assignments and deadlines to work to has also improved my time management, its also given me a better understanding for how long something takes. Which means I can handle tasks and time constraints at work better.
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
I get involved with Arup's climbing club which meets once a month and also goes on trips away. I've also got involved in the Early Career Socials, which is when a few companies in Sheffield come together to do a social event together. There are also new starter socials, Arup Early Career socials and team socials I have also got involved with.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arup to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Arup is a welcoming company that strives from working together and creating a lovely work environment. They work on very niche work that is very environment/sustainable driven, which means the work is never boring and it feels like you are making the world a better place. Arup is also very flexible and allows you to create a working week that suits your needs.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arup?
I would read Ove's Key Speech before your interview. I'd also do some research about the company values and what the team you are applying for work on. I'd also follow the STAR structure for answering questions in the interview. I'd make sure to include all of the extra-curricular activities you do.
