RateMyPlacement and RateMyApprenticeship are now Higherin: Learn More

Higherin

Assistant Engineer Review

at Vinci

Degree Apprenticeship

Civil Engineering

London

Review Submitted: April 2026

Overall Rating

3.3 /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 - Overview of Role
4/5 - Skills Development
2.8/5 - 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 work as a Civil Engineering Project Manager, overseeing project delivery from early design coordination through procurement, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. My day‑to‑day involves interpreting UK regulatory requirements, preparing technical documentation and drawings, managing procurement packages, and liaising with local authorities, consultants, and contractors to keep design, logistics, and approvals aligned. I also draft clear, defensible correspondence, coordinate site logistics and supply‑chain inputs, and support academic work at LSBU by integrating real‑world project management, technical drafting, and regulatory interpretation into coursework and assessments.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I genuinely enjoy my programme because it aligns closely with my day‑to‑day work and helps me deepen the technical, regulatory, and project‑management skills I use in practice. The balance of academic learning and real‑world application keeps it engaging, and each module strengthens my ability to deliver compliant, well‑justified engineering outputs. At the same time, I would welcome more variety in my work and more structured, discipline‑specific training from someone within my office or company. I don’t currently feel I’m receiving the level of guided development or exposure that would help me progress, and this is something I’m keen to improve moving forward.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I’ve definitely developed new skills, particularly in how I communicate with people day‑to‑day. I’ve become more confident socially, better at speaking with colleagues and stakeholders, and more comfortable holding conversations that keep work moving. My written communication has also improved especially in structuring clear, professional emails that get the right response. While I’ve made real progress, I know I would benefit from more structured, discipline‑specific training and a wider variety of tasks to continue building these skills in a more supported way.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I’d say my programme is reasonably organised, and I appreciate that I’m often placed in roles that play to my strengths and it helps me build confidence and deliver good work. At the same time, the structure could be improved to offer more planned variety and clearer development pathways. While the current setup works well in terms of utilising what I’m good at, a more defined framework with rotations or structured guidance would help broaden my experience and support my growth more evenly. Overall, it’s functional and supportive in parts, but there’s room to make it more consistent and intentional.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
I would say I receive some support from my employer, but not as much as I feel would genuinely help my development. I’m able to get guidance when I actively seek it, and people are generally approachable, but there isn’t a structured or consistent support system in place. I would benefit from clearer direction, more regular check‑ins, and more discipline‑specific training to help me progress with confidence. Overall, the support is there in parts, but it could be more proactive and better aligned with my development needs.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive a good amount of support from my training provider when working towards my qualifications. They offer clear guidance, structured learning, and consistent communication, which helps me stay on track with my academic progress. The resources and feedback they provide are genuinely useful, and I feel they play an active role in helping me understand the material and develop the skills I need for my programme. Overall, their support feels reliable and well‑organised.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel that my qualification does help me perform better in my role, but only to a certain extent. There are useful elements, especially around technical understanding, communication, and structured learning, but there isn’t a huge amount of direct overlap between my day‑to‑day responsibilities and the academic content. I think this is the case with many degrees, and the broader skills I’m developing, such as problem‑solving, communication, and professional awareness, still support my overall growth and confidence in the workplace.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
There really aren’t any extra‑curricular activities available at my workplace. Apart from the occasional leaving drinks and christmas social, there are no organised social events, sports teams, networking opportunities, or company‑led activities to get involved in. While the environment is friendly, there isn’t a structured programme of socials or engagement events for apprentices or staff.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Vinci to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend VINCI to a friend because it’s a place where you can build confidence in your strengths, gain hands‑on experience, and work with people who are approachable and supportive. You’re trusted with real responsibilities early on, which helps you grow professionally and understand how major projects operate. While my own division isn’t the strongest in terms of structure and development, I know that other divisions within VINCI offer excellent training, better organisation, and a more rounded experience. Overall, it’s a solid company with good opportunities, especially in the right team.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Vinci?
If you’re applying to VINCI, my main advice would be to go in with a clear idea of what you want to get out of the role. The company offers good opportunities to build confidence, take on real responsibilities early, and work with people who are approachable and supportive. Make sure you ask questions, speak up about the type of experience you want, and take initiative as the more proactive you are, the more you’ll get out of it. Also, be aware that different divisions offer different levels of structure and development, so it’s worth finding out which teams have the strongest training and support. Overall, if you’re motivated and willing to get involved, you can gain a lot from the experience.
In This Review
Join Now

Join the Higherin Community

Save Time

Easily add jobs from Higherin or external platforms to keep everything organised.

Personalised Alerts

Get tailored job recommendations and updates straight to your inbox.

Exclusive Features

Access tools like application tracking, deadline reminders, and saved searches.

Stay Ahead

Be the first to know about the latest opportunities and deadlines.

Completely Free

Create an account and unlock powerful features at no cost.