Apprentice Civil Engineer Review
at Jacobs
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.7 /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
3.2/5
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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
As a member of the aviation team in Manchester my time is split between producing design options at the start of projects (up to 35% design) or completing detailed design tasks ( 90 - 100% design). The majority of my work is CAD based.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The work is interesting and it is rewarding when I see areas that I have designed while travelling. I have had the opportunity through my team to attend multiple conferences and events as well as multiple site visits to various airports. However some aspects of the work is quite infuriating and some small tasks can feel like they take a long amount of time due to technological limitations and difficult clients.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since starting my apprenticeship I have learnt how to effectively use CAD software as well as developing my existing excel and word skills. Additionally I have improved my communication skills in meetings and in person. Finally I have gone from having zero knowledge about Aviation to being someone who the other members of my team ask questions to.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
there is sufficient support available at my company if I require it. The structure of the apprenticeship is pushed by my university not by my manager or team. I have to request different work if I feel that I need to to meet certain development attributes.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Outside of my apprenticeship structure, my employee provides good well being support. I am encouraged to be honest to members of my team if I want to and I know that I will get the support I require from my team at all times. Other confidential services are available to me either online or in person. Our office also has multiple well being rooms and a gym.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I am allocated my weekly apprentice time allowance. I am able to request additional time to study from my manager but he is able to reject that if I am required to do project work.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
It doesn't, the civil engineering course I undertaken is very broad but none of the modules relate directly to my day to day work. Skills I pick up such as leadership and some management skills from the group coursework we complete is beneficial but this isn't directly taught to us.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Football, Gym, Monthly early career group socials, twice annual office parties (summer and Christmas), monthly networking lunch time events, and one off completions I.E. public speaking competition.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Jacobs to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have a good day to day experience and the people I work with are really supportive and are all really great people.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Jacobs?
be passionate about engineering. When I had my interview predicted grades were not a factor. My interviewer cared much more about how I spoke about engineering.
