I'm an Atkins Civil Engineering Apprentice AMA

Is it hard being an apprentice engineer whilst also not eating carbs?

Hello,

I'm a 21 year old Apprentice with Atkins one of the worlds biggest engineering consultancies.
I've been with the company 18 months, please feel free to ask me anything relating to my apprenticeship, Atkins, or how I got into this role.

Thanks
Rhys

What is your actual role as part of this apprenticeship? And what sort of tasks do you get involved with?

What sector(s) are you currently doing projects for?

Hi there I know it's not (directly) related, I've had interviews at WSP and Mott MacDonald and I'm just waiting to hear back from them.
The one thing that worries me is the progression onto uni in order to achieve CEng status. Do you know if this will be possible? What's the course like at college? How's the job, it seems pretty exciting tbh!
Thanks

Hello 6jack, great news on your interviews I hope you do well.
I'm glad you asked - I've just gone through this process with Atkins, and I had the same concern for long time. We've had some internal restructuring so its been a bit difficult for me. However in normal circumstances its likely that Motts or WSP will have a bench mark grade that they want you to achieve after your 2 years at college for Atkins this was a minimum of Merit-Merit, on top of this its likely that you will also need to pass your NVQ and show an interest in the professional body the represents your job area for example - for civil engineers this is the ICE.
its also important to drop lots of hints to your line manager/mentor so they know your very interested and they'll help you out along the way, you'll need their support as the decision is often made a lot higher up in the hierarchy as it will be a business decision due to cost etc.

Also be aware that it might not be a direct progression from college to CEng, most apprenticeships take a vocational route for example BTEC level 3, HNC/HND, then a top up year. I know Atkins alongside several engineering firms have decided adopt an Degree route and run that as part of an apprenticeship but this is still under development.

So the progression is more than possible, you've just got to tick boxes basically
- Do well at college
- Do well at work
-Show an interest in furthering your education
-'Push' to get on that HE course

Having said all this I don't know Motts or WSP's procedures this is just form my experience.

I've enjoyed my time at college as much as I can, its been a bit difficult for me because I moved house after my first year at college and had to transfer colleges as well, I was then with a college who hadn't run the course before for apprentices so it was a bit unorganised and we came under a lot of pressure at the end but I've finished its all good and I'm starting a HNC in September.

My advise to you would be, find out what grade you need for the further studies aim for that in college, don't over work yourself because the experience in work is extremely important as well. Get your NVQ out of the way because it'll just linger over your otherwise.

Most of all enjoy it I love what I do now its really interesting and I'm continuously learning and of course I get paid to do it so its win-win-win.

Thanks for the reply Rhys.
Hopefully they get back to me soon! Yeah at the interviews, WSP said you'd go down the HNC/D route and then degre whereas MM said they'd give you 3/4 years leave to do a degree. Yeah I've read little bits about the degree apprenticeships. But it is the only thing that worries me whether or not I'll be able to progress and work towards CEng.

It sounds okay then, yeah from what I've read the college course seems to be the downfall of the apprenticeships but it does depend on the college from what I'm reading as some colleges seem to have okay and good reviews from apprentices! What's the college day like? Is it long?

Yeah I think that's what was going to sway me towards it, you're earning experience in something which sounds interesting and fun, while getting paid to do it.

Thanks Jack.

In that case I would sway towards WSP purely because of the experience you get. Being in the workplace is where you'll get the most out of your apprenticeship its great that Motts will pay for your degree and probably guarantee you a job after but on paper after the 3/4 years to have a degree or a degree and experience the later looks a lot better. You will be able to progress however you like your work will not stop you bettering yourself because it looks good on them but whether its funded through the apprenticeship is something different - I don't know anyone whos got to that level on an apprenticeship so I cant say, I know Atkins have gone as far as putting someone through their masters.
If work wont support you through it consider a open university degree or perhaps finding another work place who will support you, but I think for now focus on getting through whatever WSP or Motts will throw at your before you start and then those first 2 years.


I honestly wouldn't worry about the college side of things, its all matter of opinion, those were just my experiences, its up to you what you make of it. The college day can be slightly longer or it might not, it my first year we had a lot of freedom to come and go as we pleased as long as we got the work done some days I was in 10-12, however my second year which is harder anyway and at a different college we were expected to be in at least 9-6 with an additional hour for support.

Cheers Rhys

Hi, I am currently in second year of college and haven't had any luck in finding an apprenticeship in civil/structural engineering in the north west region preferably. Do you know of any available apprenticeships in civil engineering or possible networks that provide apprenticeships?

Many thanks
Ibrahim

Hi, I am currently in second year of college and haven't had any luck in finding an apprenticeship in civil/structural engineering in the north west region preferably. Do you know of any available apprenticeships in civil engineering or possible networks that provide apprenticeships?

Many thanks
Ibrahim

Hi, are you applying for a civil engineering apprenticeship Atkins for 2022 because i am too.