This is National Apprenticeship Week, and what better way to celebrate than to look back on a year of our own scheme. Our apprentices engage with planning, parking and traffic, design, highways and traffic engineering and landscape architecture.
One of our apprentice is Ilyas Tekin who answered some questions about his experiences:
How have you benefitted from the apprenticeship scheme?
I have benefited greatly from this apprenticeship so far. I have been involved in a variety of types of work including CAD/design work, data analysis and site work. Also, I now have a much better understanding of the different stages of a project life cycle and my role in it.
Doing a degree has allowed me to put some of what I have learned from university into practice at work. Both directly for applying CAD knowledge from my CAD module, and indirectly for applying problem solving skills from my structural mechanics and maths modules.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Working and studying for a degree at the same time can be quite challenging. During the start of the apprenticeship I struggled a bit to concentrate during the lectures. I had to make sure I concentrated during lectures later on which meant I had less to catch up on at the end of the academic year. I also completed the coursework bit by bit throughout the year instead of cramming it in the last minute which helped ease the pressure.
Also at work since the first lockdown it was a bit more difficult at work to ask question online rather than at the office as you don’t know when someone is busy. However, I realised later that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and using teams makes it really easier.
Before I started this apprenticeship a lot of what I had to learn was new to me which was can be challenging. This is why it is important to ask questions to have a better understanding of the tasks you are doing.
What would you say to someone wanting to become an apprentice?
Definitely go for it. You can learn so much from doing an apprenticeship and working gives you a chance to achieve your career goals quicker. I also recommend doing an apprenticeship in an industry and sector that you are interested in. It will make it much easier to stay motivated, especially when things get difficult.
Ilyas’ manager, Jereme McKaskill, commented: “It’s been great to see Ilyas enjoying what he is learning. He’s been very helpful to the team. Ilyas wants to get involved and has been part of some great discussions. He has added great value to what we do.”
