National Apprentice Week 6th to 13th February 2023

In support of National Apprenticeship Week At BCAL we are very keen to train our staff and in particular help our apprentices develop themselves.

In support of National Apprenticeship Week

At BCAL we are very keen to train our staff and in particular help our apprentices develop themselves. We asked our apprentices a few key questions to discover how they decided on an apprenticeship in engineering and where they hope to see themselves in the future. Here is what they answered.

Millie - a year 1 apprentice currently studying at College :

1. What is your role at BCAL and what apprenticeship are you studying?

My role is as an Apprentice Engineering Technician which means that I assist with the creation of digital models and other relevant documents. Currently, I work mainly with structural engineering projects but have also began learning how to help with civil engineering projects to expand my knowledge and allow me to try out different branches of engineering. I am currently completing a Level 3 Civil Engineering course at college alongside working on an online maths Alevel course.

2. What does a day at BCAL entail?

For me, my day at BCAL starts at 9am. Firstly, I will read over my to-do list, teams messages and emails so that I can remind myself of everything that I need to do over the next few days and figure out what order I will do it in. After this, I will move onto my jobs for the day. This often involves creating, editing and updating digital Revit models for residential projects. My job also involves a lot of communication with engineers who each teach me different aspects of engineering such as different ways to make models and various calculations that will be necessary down the line so that I can gain a greater understanding of what the models that I am making show.

3. What interested you in a career in engineering?

Maths has always been one of my favourite subjects and I easily decided that I would love a career within that general field. Once I realised that, I began researching the relevant careers and figured out that engineering really interested me due to the combination of science, maths and problem solving. I was also very lucky to be sent the advert for this apprenticeship from a friend. Before that, I had not really considered taking an apprenticeship but decided that it offered an amazing opportunity which was worth applying to and that if I got the job from the one apprenticeship that I applied to, then I would take it. If not, then I would continue in full time education and consider engineering as an option alongside others. I am so glad that I got this opportunity as it is more than what I could have hoped for in a job and offers me a great head start within the industry.

4. What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in engineering?

I would recommend that anyone wishing to become an engineer get as much experience as possible and in as many relevant areas as possible! Not only will it make it much easier to be chosen for jobs, but a broad range of experience will provide real-life examples to apply to theory being learned as well as providing better comprehension of engineering. By this I mean that any opportunities for apprenticeships, work experience, seminars, etc should be seized. Were I not doing an apprenticeship alongside the college course that I am on, I doubt that I would be able to fully understand much of what is being explained. Apprenticeships also offer valuable experience into the processes involved in engineering and provide opportunities to work on projects which can be added to your portfolio, both of these are not offered in just college or university classes.

5. Where do you hope your Apprenticeship will lead you?

I hope that I will be able to continue this apprenticeship to a higher level (ideally level 6) which will allow me to become a newly qualified engineer with many years of experience and a complete understanding of the processes involved in the engineering aspects of construction. My current plan is to continue with structural engineering related pursuits, however the widespread experience which I am gaining from the apprenticeship would make it easier than normal for me to switch over responsibilities later on down the line to another construction-related job if I wanted to.

6. This years theme is ‘Skills for Life’ what skills/knowledge do you feel you have learnt already that are becoming more useful for you career?

So far, through the apprenticeship, I have greatly improved my skills with technology. I have learned about and practiced the use of many different pieces of software, both specialised to engineering and general. Looking back on various things that I worked on before and at the beginning of the apprenticeship compared with the work which I am currently producing, I can clearly see my improvement. In the modern age, technical skills are essential in any job and so my improved knowledge of computers could help with any future endeavours which I decide to pursue as well as the many technical necessities in life.

Nathan - currently in his final year of his degree apprenticeship:

1. What is your role at BCAL and what apprenticeship are you studying?

I've been a Civil Engineering Apprentice at BCAL for 5 1/2 years and I'm currently in the final year of my BEng.

2. What does a day at BCAL entail?
I work as a regular Civil Engineer and carry out all the normal duties that go with that. Designing of roads, and drainage. Creating models in 3d, attending meetings, and visiting site. It's extremely dynamic. I'm also an Apprentice Panel Member for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical education, as well as an Apprentice ambassador, so some of my time is spent working with others around the UK to shape apprenticeship standards and promote the career route that has been so very beneficial to me.

3. What interested you in a career in engineering?
I never dreamed of being an engineer. But I reached a stage in my life where I felt like I was lacking direction, and an apprenticeship seemed to be a good way of getting a stable job and working towards something. That apprenticeship happened to be in Civil Engineering and I consider myself extremely lucky to have happened upon the opportunity by chance. I love engineering and wish I'd pursued it straight out of school.

4. What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in engineering?

It's tough but extremely rewarding. If the prospect of a difficult degree bothers you, really consider the apprenticeship route, you get so much more support and gives the opportunity to see if the career is really for you. 

5. Where do you hope your Apprenticeship will lead you?
When my apprenticeship concludes I will have my IEng professional qualification alongside my degree, but I really want to be chartered. My goal is to at some point be in a managing role where I can train and help others and pass on the passion for engineering that was shared with me. 

6. This year's theme is ‘Skills for Life’ what skills/knowledge do you feel you have learnt already that are becoming more useful for your career?

The confidence to ask questions is the single most important skill whilst learning. I make no apology for my keenness to learn and better myself. I've also learned to not try to be someone I'm not. Everyone has a personal brand and you should shape who you are as a professional around your personality and your strengths. That way your employer can see how to get the best out of you, and you can see how to get the most out of yourself.