One of the many advantages of completing an apprenticeship programme is the ability to earn while you learn, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in your chosen field.
And with a focus on developing practical skills through on-the-job experience and hands-on learning, it continues to be the preferred pathway for many starting out in their careers.
Apprentice Civil Engineer, Jack Guven, joined our team at NPS South West just over two years ago.
Here, he explains how completing an apprenticeship has helped to kick start his career, and how his latest course will help him continue to progress and develop in the years ahead:
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to complete an apprenticeship.
Throughout my education I never fully agreed with the typical exam route and didn’t feel it suited my personality.
I looked at my options and decided that completing an apprenticeship was the best route for me – offering me the opportunity to earn and learn, while gaining vital experience and knowledge needed for my progression.
With the backing of NPS, I completed a Level 4 qualification in Civil and Coastal Engineering, balancing my studies with my day-to-day workload as a new member of the team – working on a combination of projects and schemes, generating designs and calculations.
And after finishing my initial course, I am now focused on taking my studies to the next level, by completing a Level 6 qualification in Civil Engineering.
What have been some of the benefits of developing through the apprenticeship route?
Developing within a working environment exposes you to a wide range of experiences, which so far have provided me with vital life skills that I will use throughout both working and non-working environments for the rest of my life.
It’s also very rewarding to put the skills you’ve learnt into practice, and I generally find that the knowledge I gain during work is often even more valuable than what I learn during my course.
However, my coursework also complements my role by focusing on a broad range of engineering disciplines, giving me more confidence to involve myself in conversations in meetings or just generally in the workplace.
What challenges have you encountered during your apprenticeships, and how have you been supported throughout?
I have found that the biggest challenge is finding a good balance of time between work, education, and your personal life.
However, with a great support network of colleagues and lecturers, I have been able to successfully manage my schedule. My line manager in particular has been very supportive in giving me additional resources and time, if needed, to complete coursework.
What are your future career and development plans?
Currently, my next career development goal is to become an Incorporated Engineer upon completion of my Level 6 apprenticeship in June/July 2024. I would also like to progress in my current role when my apprenticeship is completed and identify potential opportunities to support other disciplines if required.
What advice would you give to anyone considering undertaking an apprenticeship?
I recently spoke with a GCSE student who did work experience in our office at Exeter, and strongly recommended him to consider completing an apprenticeship.
The key skills, knowledge and traits I have gained over the last two years have been invaluable to my development. And the benefit of being able to earn and learn early in your career – with your employer also sponsoring you through a degree – is another major plus.
Sum up your apprenticeship experience in three words
Valuable, interesting and informative.
