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This week is National Apprenticeship Week and it's of no surprise that apprenticeships are vital for employers, communities and industries. We spoke to some of our apprentices to hear why they were interested in taking up apprenticeships and why it works for them.

Olivia Thomas

Olivia is an Apprentice Technician in the Birmingham Transport team. She is coming to the end of her apprenticeship and will achieve an EngTech qualification in Transport Planning from Leeds College of Building. Her role entails assisting in the creation of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans and the relevant technical processes that inform these documents.??

1. What interested you in taking up an apprenticeship?

I initially had a place at University to study urban planning but was not aware of there being apprenticeships in the planning sector. I never liked the concept of the debt, the commute and how I would have to continue the existing job as well to put me through university. The idea of post-graduate job prospects was also negative. Therefore, the fact that I could get a job in the sector I already wanted to work in whilst getting a debt-free education and a guaranteed job was perfect for me.

2. What¡¯s your favourite aspect of the work you are involved in here at Â鶹´«Ã½?

My favourite part is seeing a job through from start to finish and seeing progress happen around the city that I have been involved with.

3. What one thing would you tell yourself if you were just starting out?

I¡¯d tell myself to get involved with more of the cross-discipline events and to be less shy.

4. What area of the company would you like to learn more about?

I would like to learn more about sustainability and energy as it is really relevant to aspects of my work such as EV charging provision in new developments, for example.

5. What are your hopes for the future?

I aspire to study BSc Transport Planning at Aston University, Birmingham, later this year and to successfully become a Transport Planning Graduate in five years¡¯ time.

Samuel Turner

Sam is an Apprentice Technician in the Bridges Team. He is most involved in amending or creating CAD drawings with the occasional inspection of structures for Reading Borough Council.

1. What interested you in taking up an apprenticeship?

I have always been keen to start working immediately but with no experience that made it quite difficult. An apprenticeship was a great way to get yourself into the workplace and get that valuable experience that I needed whilst also continuing my Academic Studies.

2. What¡¯s your favourite aspect of the work you are involved in here at Â鶹´«Ã½?

I enjoy the community that Â鶹´«Ã½ brings to its work, the way that if anyone needs any help there¡¯s always multiple people who will help you and that everyone has a different skill that they can help you with too.

3. What one thing would you tell yourself if you were just starting out?

Communicate effectively with people and you will always get what you need eventually.

4. What area of the company would you like to learn more about?

The managing roles within the company and the different problems they have to face and their solutions to them.

5. What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to have a career as a Manager within the construction industry.

Eleanor Robinson

Eleanor is working within the Cambridge Hydrology Team whilst also providing CAD support to our Civil and Transport Teams. She is studying for a Level 3 in Construction and the Built Environment at Bedford Regional College and recently was awarded the ICE QUEST Technician scholarship.

1. What interested you in taking up an apprenticeship?

I was planning to study Business and Human Resources at the University of Worcester but was unsure whether this was the right choice for me. So, I decided to defer my place for a year and give myself time to work out what I really wanted to do.

In the summer of 2017, I attended several career fairs and at one of these, I met Haider and Warren from Â鶹´«Ã½. I was looking into Quantity Surveying degrees and Surveying apprenticeships at the time so I couldn¡¯t believe my luck when they explained how the Â鶹´«Ã½ apprenticeship worked and encouraged me to apply. I love that I am doing something that I enjoy and I am being paid to learn.

2. What¡¯s your favourite aspect of the work you are involved in here at Â鶹´«Ã½?

The variation. As this was my first experience within the construction industry, I wanted to learn about engineering as a whole. The Â鶹´«Ã½ team have been great and given me the opportunity to work with lots of different teams and on a variety of projects. I now have experience with report writing and modelling for the Transport team, detailed CAD drawings for the Civils team and modelling for the Hydrology team. I love that no two days are the same.

3. What one thing would you tell yourself if you were just starting out?

If I was just starting out I would tell myself not to worry so much as everyone at Â鶹´«Ã½ is supportive and wants to see you succeed.

4. What area of the company would you like to learn more about?

I would like to learn more about the many other disciplines we offer within Â鶹´«Ã½ such as Geology and Project Management and how they intertwine with each other. There will always be so much to learn, but that is why it is so interesting.

5. What are your hopes for the future?

After obtaining my Level 3 qualification, I will be looking towards progressing on to achieving the EngTech qualification with an aspiration towards CEng status. I will achieve this by continuing my studies at university on a day release basis, studying Civil Engineering, developing the relevant experience and competencies, and maintaining my continued professional development.

Taylen Simonds-Purnell

Taylen is currently working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration. She mostly provides administrative support for the Civil Infrastructure team, as she works closely with them on a day to day basis.

1. What interested you in taking up an apprenticeship?

I was interested in taking up an apprenticeship as I am someone who enjoys the opportunity to put theory into practical work and I learn better by doing so. It was also a way to be introduced and get a real feel of a career I am interested in.

2. What¡¯s your favourite aspect of the work you are involved in here at Â鶹´«Ã½?

I very much enjoy the team aspect of my work. As part of my role, I am constantly meeting new people and assisting them with administration tasks, this means I am always making new friends.

3. What one thing would you tell yourself if you were just starting out?

Not to be afraid to ask questions and to be confident in what you are doing. When you start off in an unfamiliar place it can be very daunting, but in PBA there is no need to be worried as everyone is happy to help with any queries you have.

4. What area of the company would you like to learn more about?

I would like to learn more about the whole of support services as it will really help me decide which route I would like to take with my career.

5. What are your hopes for the future?

One of my hopes is that I find a passion for a sector within support services, which I will then decide to have a career in. I hope that I will then thrive in my career and flourish into a very knowledgeable individual in the path I decide to take.

Originally published by PBA, now Â鶹´«Ã½.