Apprentice Civil Engineer Review
at Jacobs
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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:
5/5
I am an Apprentice Civil Engineer in Jacobs and the degree course is 5 years long
I work 4 days with Jacobs - 2 in the office and 2 from home
I go to university for 1 day each week
My role is in the highways sector, working on live projects with a team to increase my learning in the work environment.
While my university day consists of educational mandatory learning
The aim for the end of the 5 year programme is to obtain a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering alongside completing my End point assessment
This means I have a Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
I work 4 days with Jacobs - 2 in the office and 2 from home
I go to university for 1 day each week
My role is in the highways sector, working on live projects with a team to increase my learning in the work environment.
While my university day consists of educational mandatory learning
The aim for the end of the 5 year programme is to obtain a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering alongside completing my End point assessment
This means I have a Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I love my Degree apprenticeship, the combination of practical learning alongside my studies really benefits my learning techniques, personally.
Another thing is that I can see how what I do in my job links to my university learning, which helps strengthen understanding as well.
There are many areas for development within the route I have taken, and many opportunities for me in the company of Jacobs as well.
I would highly recommend an apprenticeship, there's so many opportunities and learning experiences you can achieve within an apprenticeship that you can't at university alone, work experience being the main one.
If you don't think wow there's so much opportunity to grow already - you also get paid!
I'm grateful and proud that I have this opportunity to thrive and learn with work experience, and get a proper insight into the industry.
Another thing is that I can see how what I do in my job links to my university learning, which helps strengthen understanding as well.
There are many areas for development within the route I have taken, and many opportunities for me in the company of Jacobs as well.
I would highly recommend an apprenticeship, there's so many opportunities and learning experiences you can achieve within an apprenticeship that you can't at university alone, work experience being the main one.
If you don't think wow there's so much opportunity to grow already - you also get paid!
I'm grateful and proud that I have this opportunity to thrive and learn with work experience, and get a proper insight into the industry.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
The apprenticeship is a massive learning journey in itself. You never stop learning within the industry!
I've learnt new applications like Civil3D and AutoCAD
I've learnt how to balance university studies within a 8-5 working day week
I've learnt personal skills, practical skills and enhanced my professionalism by working within a company as well.
I am only in my first year as an apprentice, so everything i have learnt is new, so there is no possible way that you could not learn by choosing this route.
I speak to colleagues who have finished their degrees and have been with the company for over 5 years, and they are still learning new things - big or small - thats just what this industry does.
New learning all the time there's always a learning area in the role
I've learnt new applications like Civil3D and AutoCAD
I've learnt how to balance university studies within a 8-5 working day week
I've learnt personal skills, practical skills and enhanced my professionalism by working within a company as well.
I am only in my first year as an apprentice, so everything i have learnt is new, so there is no possible way that you could not learn by choosing this route.
I speak to colleagues who have finished their degrees and have been with the company for over 5 years, and they are still learning new things - big or small - thats just what this industry does.
New learning all the time there's always a learning area in the role
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is very organised, 4 days working (2 office days, 2 Working from home days)
within the office I have projects that are live, there consist of schedule meetings and tasks for the project, which hold structure to your week.
With the university day, there is structure. You have a structured lecture plan for the day you are in for that year (like a normal university course just a longer period of time) and you know what you are going to do when you are there.
I have never faced an issue with the organisation or structure of my course.
within the office I have projects that are live, there consist of schedule meetings and tasks for the project, which hold structure to your week.
With the university day, there is structure. You have a structured lecture plan for the day you are in for that year (like a normal university course just a longer period of time) and you know what you are going to do when you are there.
I have never faced an issue with the organisation or structure of my course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There's constant support from my company Jacobs.
I have mentors, buddys, line managers, and sector colleagues that are always welcoming to my questions that i have.
Jacobs itself has a massive support networking, there are 'societies' to join to help inclusion in minority groups and there is a lot of support for finance, personal health, mental health, etc.
I would say as an apprentice, on my first day just a 19 year old girl stepping into an office environment for a job is scary - but it should be, its a big step up in the world. However i walked through the doors and was met with warm welcomes and many integration sessions that helped me interact with others in the same situation, and integrate into my team.
I have mentors, buddys, line managers, and sector colleagues that are always welcoming to my questions that i have.
Jacobs itself has a massive support networking, there are 'societies' to join to help inclusion in minority groups and there is a lot of support for finance, personal health, mental health, etc.
I would say as an apprentice, on my first day just a 19 year old girl stepping into an office environment for a job is scary - but it should be, its a big step up in the world. However i walked through the doors and was met with warm welcomes and many integration sessions that helped me interact with others in the same situation, and integrate into my team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Your university and company are in contact through a member of both. there's are 3 month calls called Progress Review meetings where the university will ask for the progress and updates in the working industry while you company will see how you have been doing in university within a Microsoft teams call.
Its a clever system set up with clean conversation, and both sides are open to comments and improvements that you think you need (whether that be mental health support, deadline extension, or just some clearer information on an exam)
Its a clever system set up with clean conversation, and both sides are open to comments and improvements that you think you need (whether that be mental health support, deadline extension, or just some clearer information on an exam)
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that once qualifying my degree and end point assessment, i will have access to many more opportunities and there will be areas of improvement and development within my job title as well.
I perform better working practically anyway, and then placing that knowledge into study based learning like university has helped massively on my education journey as a whole.
I perform better working practically anyway, and then placing that knowledge into study based learning like university has helped massively on my education journey as a whole.
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
Jacobs itself has a massive support networking, there are 'societies' to join to help inclusion in minority groups and there is a lot of support for finance, personal health, mental health, etc.
there's also a benefits scheme within the company that can offer things like private health care, therapy sessions, financial aid and a good pension scheme.
there's also a benefits scheme within the company that can offer things like private health care, therapy sessions, financial aid and a good pension scheme.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Jacobs to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Jacobs, they are a company with a lot to offer.
Within career aspirations they offer Apprenticeships, Chartership opportunities with ICE.
With career development they offer promotions and flexibility within your job sector and role.
With social development offering all the social events, networking opportunities.
With personal development offering mental health support, physical health support.
Jacobs offers everything, and they support all decisions to help better you own self, and feel part of the team.
Within career aspirations they offer Apprenticeships, Chartership opportunities with ICE.
With career development they offer promotions and flexibility within your job sector and role.
With social development offering all the social events, networking opportunities.
With personal development offering mental health support, physical health support.
Jacobs offers everything, and they support all decisions to help better you own self, and feel part of the team.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Jacobs?
I would advise having prior work experience with other engineering companies, I would also recommend as an apprentice ensuring your CV is presented in a strong format, with clear titles and headings.
To everyone else, in the interviews, make sure you ask the interviewers questions. You get further by showing interest into the company and what your role will entail - it helps trust me.
To everyone else, in the interviews, make sure you ask the interviewers questions. You get further by showing interest into the company and what your role will entail - it helps trust me.
Civil Engineering Apprentice
at Jacobs
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
- 55 Portland St, Greater, Manchester M1 3HP, UK
-
4.4
