Engineering through the eyes of an apprentice – Jon-Claude Edser

Can you tell us a bit more about your apprenticeship? What are you learning and what are your expectations?

I’m currently taking a Level 3 Civil Engineering apprenticeship which will allow me to become an engineering technician on completion.  It’s a 31-month course with the option to finish earlier if I complete all the assignments ahead of time. 

My time is structured as four days on the job learning with the fifth day assigned for studying. The on-the-job learning is invaluable, I’m learning so much about different forms of construction, the foundation of structures, the type of materials in buildings, and modular design. As well as the standard units, the apprenticeship also offers specialist courses to gain additional skills like computer-aided design (CAD) and surveying. 

To complete the course, I must complete a six-month report on projects I have worked on. After my apprenticeship is complete, I can continue studying with a higher-level apprenticeship or look for a role as a Highways Engineer, hopefully at Project Centre! I believe that it’s important to keep studying, but it’s also great to have the chance to be offered a full-time position right after the apprenticeship. 

It sounds like you’re getting lots of exposure to various projects. What does your workweek usually look like?

I come to the office four days a week which is a really welcoming and supportive environment. I’m trying not to fall into the cliche of the “I love my job because not every workweek looks the same”, but I’m really involved in a wide and diverse variety of projects as well as site visits and client meetings. 

I was part of the A28 Chart Road scheme in Ashford, where I assisted in producing risk assessments and the suitability of vehicle restraints and safety barriers. Gradually, I’m being more exposed to software design. For example, using CAD for designing the site 11 green corridors scheme, I’m learning how to change, align and adjust crossings and curves. Also attending site visits have taught me a lot about different structures, measuring and conditions of a site. 

In Brighton I helped to track measurements for a bus route and the rediverting of other vehicles, helping to prepare the concept and outline drawings. In Dartford, we took measurements to set up places for cameras and identify any hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Soon I’ll be going to help with school sites in Medway. I’m excited to be a part of so many schemes and I especially feel proud as these involve the health and safety of residents and children. 

It’s your first experience entering the professional world. Are you getting enough support as an apprentice at Project Centre?

I get lots of support from my colleagues in the office, who are always friendly and helpful. They’re available for any questions, and I love it because I feel like I could really ask them anything. I’ve also been fortunate to have two mentors, Sandra and Ilyas. 

Sandra recently graduated from university, and she just took her Institution of Civil Engineering At the moment, we catch up every week and she’ll be on hand to support me when I undertake my ICE chartership. Ilyas is another Highways Apprentice. He started a couple of years before me and it’s great having him as a mentor. I feel like I can ask him any questions as he’s been through it and might know how to do it better. 

So far, I’m impressed with the amount of support I’m getting from Project Centre. Everyone is nice and approachable, and I don’t feel pressurised or judged by the number of questions I ask.    

Have you got any advice for aspiring apprentices?

Going to university is surely useful, but by doing an apprenticeship I feel like I’m learning so much quicker. I’m gaining hands-on experience instead of just reading facts in a textbook. I still get a good mix of training and theory, but this is combined with practical projects and site visits. It’s great to see things and how they are made through my own eyes. 

Also being so close to my colleagues, I get to ask them all my questions and hearing from people that are in the profession helps me to grasp different ways of looking at things. As an apprentice and a newbie in the industry, I have millions of questions and it’s great having so much support from all sides.  

Thanks Jon-Claude for speaking about your experience as an apprentice. It has been great and constructive to understand that there is not just one way to get into the profession. 

If you’re interested in starting an apprentice, speak to us to find out more about your opportunities