Apprentice Civil Engineer Review
at Balfour Beatty
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Scotland
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.1 /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!
3.5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
-
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
Setting out works on a construction site (reading technical drawings and specifications then placing the information on site to be built by others)
Supervising works to ensure quality standards are met
Tracking progress
Engaging in health and safety (ensuring appropriate permits are in place, hazards are highlighted and known (e.g. underground utilities))
Supervising works to ensure quality standards are met
Tracking progress
Engaging in health and safety (ensuring appropriate permits are in place, hazards are highlighted and known (e.g. underground utilities))
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I like the people I work with, and my time at work is often enjoyable as there is a lot of social interaction and humour.
I have the opportunity to gain responsibility in this position. Since starting as a site engineer, I am able to manage my own time and activity as part of a larger framework, as well as taking responsibility for areas of work (e.g. kerbing, drainage) and managing operatives/subcontractors to ensure the design is produced accurately.
However, for a number of reasons, the apprenticeship is unsatisfactory:
Working hours are very long (10 hours per day)
Time at work is often hectic and very busy.
University classes are generally unengaging, yet attendance is mandatory
University has an excessive focus on ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) membership, which is optional in professional practice, but the university requires passing of all ICE-related assignments as part of a double-credit module.
The above combination conduces to a stressful, unproductive, and fruitless experience, where neither professional practice nor academia can be fully focused on.
I have the opportunity to gain responsibility in this position. Since starting as a site engineer, I am able to manage my own time and activity as part of a larger framework, as well as taking responsibility for areas of work (e.g. kerbing, drainage) and managing operatives/subcontractors to ensure the design is produced accurately.
However, for a number of reasons, the apprenticeship is unsatisfactory:
Working hours are very long (10 hours per day)
Time at work is often hectic and very busy.
University classes are generally unengaging, yet attendance is mandatory
University has an excessive focus on ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) membership, which is optional in professional practice, but the university requires passing of all ICE-related assignments as part of a double-credit module.
The above combination conduces to a stressful, unproductive, and fruitless experience, where neither professional practice nor academia can be fully focused on.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Working under pressure
Setting out
Management and leadership
Time management
Interpersonal skills
Setting out
Management and leadership
Time management
Interpersonal skills
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I have multiple 3 week blocks where I am at university. Classes are timetabled 9-5.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
University is entirely academic with little practical application. Structural engineering and geotechnical engineering classes are an exception; however, these still teach outdated methods.
The vast majority of my construction and engineering knowledge, with the exception of the aforementioned technical classes, comes from my time at work. The university unfortunately hinders my development.
The vast majority of my construction and engineering knowledge, with the exception of the aforementioned technical classes, comes from my time at work. The university unfortunately hinders my development.
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
Sometimes my colleagues go for nights-out, football games, etc
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend?
No
Why?
Experiences seem to be strongly dependent on the particular site in the company. Unfortunately, given my experience of excessive workloads and unhealthy 'workaholic' culture (especially the promotion of this behaviour from select senior staff), I would not recommend the company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Balfour Beatty?
Do not fall into the trap of coming in early and working late with the view that this is appropriate to gain experience and success.
