Alanah Ferguson
Trainee Technician Apprentice, Amey
Expertise
Design, Construction, DigitalLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
Gaining real world experience while attaining a BEng (Hons) degree.
Working towards Incorporation Engineer status with the ICE.
Working towards my ICE formal review which will open doors to my career.
My working day
My time is spent utilising Computer Aided Design software which means I am responsible in creating technical drawings which will be used for the project and viewed by clients.
I gain a lot of satisfaction knowing that the work I am completing will have an effect on people’s lives and in turn improving their quality of life. Also it's a great feeling knowing that you're enhancing the local environment by developing infrastructure with environmental positives.
Knowing that the work I am completing will have an effect on people’s lives and in turn help their quality of life is a great feeling.
We asked Alanah…
What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship?
The highlight of my apprenticeship is that I am constantly learning and being able to achieve professional qualifications along the way.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I chose to complete a graduate apprenticeship because it allows me the opportunity to get real-world experience and practice whilst attaining a BEng(Hons)degree.
As part of my apprenticeship, I am working towards Incorporation Engineer status with the Institution of Civil Engineers. Once I have attained my degree in Civil Engineering, I will sit for my formal review with the ICE which will in turn open doors in my future career.
What would you say to anyone considering a civil engineering apprenticeship?
I would say that becoming an apprentice means you get to learn key employable skills whilst consolidating everything you learn at university. On top of everything you get a chance to clear your student debt by being paid a salary!
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer or technician?
There are many projects to choose from, such as the Forth Rail Bridge. It proved its safety to society after the collapse of a nearby railway bridge. Overall, inspiring projects or engineers would be anyone or anything who/that has a vital role in shaping people's everyday life and well-being while also improving the country's economy.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineering apprentice, but I’m also …
Someone who is passionate about wanting to increase the rate of female high school leavers into the engineering workforce through apprenticeships or university.
What about being a civil engineer apprentice gets you out of bed each morning?
The feeling that I'm putting back into the community by improving journey times and reliability on the strategic network and trying to stay open as much as possible by considering all possible scenarios.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
I love the interaction when working with other teams, networks and companies to achieve and deliver a common end goal.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The Queensferry Crossing
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
That civil engineering is only about building roads. The industry is constantly changing and evolving to incorporate new technologies with a push to increase productivity.
