Are apprenticeships the 'easy route'? Engineers quash common myths

An apprenticeship isn’t always the most obvious choice for some.

It certainly wasn’t the obvious route for me, given that if it weren’t for a fated Google search, I would never have even known about them.

Even less obvious was my choice to leave full-time education at the age of 16 upon the completion of my GCSEs.

It’s difficult at the age of 15/16, or even later on in life, to find out what the right career path for you is, but having taken a keen interest in the world around me, mathematics and science, it seemed like destiny when I stumbled upon civil engineering apprenticeship vacancies.

There's more to apprenticeships than you might know

Normally the discourse around apprenticeships centres around degree apprenticeships (Level 6 and 7), but I’d like to offer a slightly different perspective.

There are apprenticeships of all levels – from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Level 4/5 (foundation degree equivalent) and Level 7 (master’s degree equivalent).

The apprenticeship I completed was a Level 3 (equivalent to A-levels). It provided the opportunity to either progress into full-time employment, attend university full-time, or progress onto a degree apprenticeship.

In a job market where experience is becoming increasingly sought after (even when traditional university students are achieving firsts), apprenticeships are the new craze.

You can gain that experience, learn and earn a competitive wage in many cases.

Apprenticeships aren't the 'easy route'

Throughout the two years I spent working towards my college qualification, I was also working towards a Level 3 NVQ and Engineering Technician accreditation with the ICE, which I achieved.

Opportunities like these - to build up a portfolio of experience and accreditations – can vastly increase employability.

Contrary to popular sentiments, apprenticeships are by no means the “easy route”.

From first-hand experience, they require a lot of hard work and time management skills.

This is, of course, rewarding and gratifying when you yield the results, however. Determination is key.

The purpose this gave me helped structure my work and gave me a sense of direction when I had meetings with my line manager to discuss my professional development.

Being in tune with what you’re becoming quite good at, as well as the areas of the industry you haven’t experienced, can allow early career professionals to find a place within such a boundless industry like civil engineering.

Civil engineering is boundless

The world is truly your oyster in civil engineering. Due to the broad nature of the industry, undoubtedly one of the best out there for early career professionals, there is so much to explore.

There are so many disciplines you can specialise in – rail, highways, buildings, bridges, water, airfields, drainage, pavements, geotechnics, ecology, utilities, structures and more!

Not to mention the amazing travelling opportunities that are on offer.

I also picked up key and in-demand skills on a plethora of software including AutoCAD, Civils3D, Excel, Inventor and more.

Being part of a worldwide network of professionals and making lasting friendships

I made so many lasting friendships while on my apprenticeship. There are so many networking opportunities for early career professionals that the ICE provides, whether that be through lectures, welcomes and meets, or even committees.

For example, I was part of the London ICE Graduate and Student Committee (now the Early Careers Network) for almost two years, taking on the Apprentice-Technician Champion role in the last year.

I met some amazing and inspiring people here and also many other apprentices that I have great friendships with, in a wide range of sectors.

Busting common apprenticeships myths

We’ve got to keep talking about this amazing entry route into civil engineering. Because it is not talked about enough, there are many myths associated with the pathway. Here are a few of the common ones, from fellow apprentices:

Apprenticeships are only for young people

They're not just for school leavers!

“You can be at any point in your career and choose to decide to go into civil engineering,” says Rhiann Surgenor, who completed a degree apprenticeship. She's now a senior traffic engineer at Wiltshire Council.

“If it's something you enjoy, then don't be afraid of just taking that jump.”

Apprentices do all the boring admin work

“This is imply not true,” says William Bowery, former degree apprentice who now works at AECOM.

“I've been able to contribute to real projects, working on bridge inspections, contributing to contractor meetings onsite, and it's been really, really good and varied work.”

Also, apprentices aren't treated badly onsite. “No one is going to ask you to get a glass hammer or tartan paint,” adds Katie Harper, who's on a higher-level apprenticeship working at Northern Ireland Water.

Apprenticeships are for those who aren't academically gifted

This is also not true!

There are many different types of apprenticeships and the entry requirements depend to encapsulate every kind of individual in terms of academic ability.

Apprenticeships aren't well-paid

This one is also incorrect – although there is an apprentice minimum wage, many companies offer significantly above that and are very competitive.

Apprentices can't progress to high levels like others can

“This isn't true. There are people at associate director levels within my company that started on an apprenticeship 20 years ago,” explains Spiros Grimas, who's an apprentice at Arup.

“It's achievable as long as you work hard.”

If we've changed your mind, you can find out more about apprenticeships in civil engineering on so many platforms, such as Not Going to Uni, GOV.UK and of course, the ICE website.

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This article was originally published November 2021.