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Apprentices

ICE is uniquely placed to assist civil engineering apprentices on their journey. We deliver the support and guidance required to get the maximum benefit from these exciting programmes.

Combining learning while working is a fantastic way to kick-start a career in civil engineering. You will work on projects that transform lives, gain invaluable experience from knowledgeable colleagues and tutors, and you can earn as you learn.

Meet our apprentices

Click on the profiles below to find out why some of our current apprentices have chosen the apprentice route and how it helps them in their careers.

Ella Barker

Assistant project management apprentice, National Grid

I chose to do an apprenticeship because I'd rather be learning on the job than studying from a textbook. By doing an apprenticeship, I benefit from practical experience and a greater skill set than those who start through the academic route, for example.

Find out more

Ella Barker

Ryhan Ruf

Trainee civil engineer, BAM Nuttall Ltd

The highlight of my apprenticeship is working on incredible projects for the local authorities that make a positive difference in communities. It's a proud feeling to know that my contributions have helped enhance the infrastructure for the benefit of those who rely on it.

Find out more

Ryhan Ruf

How long is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships may run from a minimum of two years (equivalent to Highers in Scotland and two A Levels in the rest of the UK) or 4-5 years for degree-level apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you are likely to spend approximately 80% of the time working and 20% learning but this will vary depending on the scheme you undertake and where you are doing it:

  • At your workplace
  • At your college or university through a day-release or a block-release
  • Through self-guided study or research

There are regional differences in the programmes on offer across the UK and the Channel Islands. More information for each region is detailed below.

Skills Jersey delivers Trackers Apprenticeships for people aged 16 and over. A two-year level 4 HNC Civil Engineering apprenticeship is available as is a level 6 (degree) apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships start in September and vacancies are advertised every two years. Employers also advertise their own vacancies and engage with training providers to make students aware of their opportunities.

To complete your apprenticeship, you must demonstrate the level of learning and skills laid out in the apprenticeship framework.

To apply, you must meet the eligibility criteria given on the Trackers; the apprentice programme webpage.

How do I gain a professional qualification after completing my apprenticeship?

When you've completed a civil engineering or built environment-related apprenticeship , you can apply to become an Engineering Technician (EngTech MICE) with ICE.

An ICE professional qualification is the mark of excellence. It will put you on the road to a successful career and give employers and their clients confidence in your abilities. It will also enable you to continue to developing as a professional and give you access and connections to over 95,000 members worldwide.

Find out how you can apply for professional qualification.

Further information

More information about apprenticeships in Jersey, is available at Trackers: the apprentice programme.

If you’re looking to start a career in civil engineering, the following apprenticeships could kick start your professional journey:

  • The Railway Engineering Design Technician Apprenticeship - (Level 3 - BTEC)
  • The Civil Engineering Technician Apprenticeship - (Level 3 - BTEC)
  • The Construction Site Engineering Technician Apprenticeship - (Level 4 - HNC)
  • The Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship - (Level 6 - degree)
  • The Civil Engineer Site Manager Degree Apprenticeship - (Level 6 - degree)

After completing level 3 or 4 apprenticeship, you could progress to a degree apprenticeship.

End Point Assessment

To complete an English apprenticeship, you must sit an End Point Assessment (EPA). This tests your ability to do the job you've been training.

ICE is registered to carry out EPAs for the five civil engineering English apprenticeships listed above.

Details of the EPA elements can be found in the respective EPA Guidance documents listed below. You can also find out more about the EPA process – the standards you must reach and how you’ll be assessed – through the links below:

To find out more about Apprenticeships in England, watch our video recordings.

Where can I find an apprenticeship?

Vacancies are widely advertised through employers’ websites, careers and job boards, the government’s 'Find an apprenticeship' website, and other sources. The 'Find an apprenticeship' site also lists training providers associated with each apprenticeship.

Recording experience – degree apprentices

If you're following a degree-level apprenticeship and would like to apply for an ICE professional qualification, you must record and track your work experience. ICE strongly recommend that you do this through our easy-to-use online platform – IPD Online.

IPD is the ‘work experience’ part of the professional qualification, and our online tool enables you to ‘map’ your experience to the required attributes.

Please read Roles and responsibilities for delivering Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeships for guidance on steps to take for apprentices wishing to achieve a professional qualification with ICE on completion of their apprenticeship.

If your employer does not have a professional registrant to guide you through your IPD and you wish to apply for a professional qualification on completion of your apprenticeship, you can register on ICE’s mentoring search service, designed to match you with an appropriate mentor.

Knowledge, skills and behaviour to attributes mapping for England:

Even if you’re not sure you want to apply for a professional qualification at the end of the apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to use IPD Online, as it’ll allow you to do so in the future.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

How do I gain a professional qualification?

After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you can apply to become an Engineering Technician (EngTech MICE) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng MICE) with ICE.

An ICE professional qualification is the mark of excellence. It will put you on the road to a successful career and give your employer and their clients confidence in your abilities. It will also enable you to continue to progress as a profession and give you access and connections to over 95,000 members worldwide.

The EPA application form has an option to apply for professional qualification and outlines additional information required.

Find out how you can apply for professional qualification.

Further information

You can get more details about apprenticeships in England through:

For help and support on joining ICE whilst on an apprenticeship watch our guidance videos.

Other information to help you through your apprenticeship

In Northern Ireland apprenticeships are available at level 3, level 5 (Foundation degree), level 6 (Honours degree) and level 7 (Master's degree).

Level 5, 6 and 7 programmes – also known as Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) – are aimed at people who have gained A levels, or equivalent, and provide an opportunity for you to learn new skills whilst you earn.

Depending on which level you choose, the length of the HLA will vary, but will be at least two years.

Degree-level apprenticeships are available through employers and universities.

Recording experience – degree apprentices

If you're following a degree-level apprenticeship and would like to apply for an ICE professional qualification, you must record and track your work experience. ICE strongly recommend that you do this through our easy-to-use online platform – IPD Online.

IPD is the ‘work experience’ part of the professional qualification, and our online tool enables you to ‘map’ your experience to the required attributes.

Even if you’re not sure you want to apply for a professional qualification at the end of the apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to use IPD Online, as it’ll allow you to do so in the future.

If your employer does not have a professional registrant to guide you through your IPD and you wish to apply for a professional qualification on completion of your apprenticeship, you can register on ICE’s mentoring search service, designed to match you with an appropriate mentor.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

How do I gain a professional qualification after completing my apprenticeship?

After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you can apply to become an Engineering Technician (EngTech MICE) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng MICE) with ICE.

An ICE professional qualification is the mark of excellence. It will put you on the road to a successful career and give your employer and their clients confidence in your abilities. It will also enable you to continue developing as a professional and give you access and connections to over 95,000 members worldwide.

Find out how you can apply for professional qualification.

Further information

For help and support on joining ICE whilst on an apprenticeship watch our guidance videos.

More details about apprenticeships in Northern Ireland can be found at the following:

In Scotland, you can follow Modern and Graduate programmes.

Modern Apprenticeships

By pursuing a Modern Apprenticeship, you’ll be employed, learn on the job and spend time at college to build the knowledge and skills required for the role. You’ll normally spend four days a week at your workplace and one day at college.

Modern Apprenticeships are offered at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 5 to 7 and you could use this as a stepping-stone to a Graduate Apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprenticeships

Graduate Apprenticeships combine work with a HND or degree-level qualification, and normally comprise 80% work and 20% study.

To complete the programme, you must demonstrate that you’ve achieved the level of learning and skills laid out in the apprenticeship framework.

Recording experience – degree apprentices

If you're following a degree-level apprenticeship and would like to apply for an ICE professional qualification, you must record and track your work experience. ICE strongly recommend that you do this through our easy-to-use online platform – IPD Online.

IPD is the ‘work experience’ part of the professional qualification, and our online tool enables you to ‘map’ your experience to the required attributes.

Even if you’re not sure you want to apply for a professional qualification at the end of the apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to use IPD Online, as it’ll allow you to do so in the future.

If your employer does not have a professional registrant to guide you through your IPD and you wish to apply for a professional qualification on completion of your apprenticeship, you can register on ICE’s mentoring search service, designed to match you with an appropriate mentor.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

How do I gain a professional qualification after completing my apprenticeship?

After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you can apply to become an Engineering Technician (EngTech MICE) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng MICE) with ICE.

An ICE professional qualification is the mark of excellence. It will put you on the road to a successful career and give your employer and their clients confidence in your abilities. It will also enable you to continue developing as a professional and give you access and connections to over 95,000 members worldwide.

Find out how you can apply for professional qualification.

Further information

For help and support on joining ICE whilst on an apprenticeship watch our guidance videos.

More details about apprenticeships in Scotland can be found at the following:

ICE is part of The Welsh Apprenticeship Alliance (WAA), which helps you plan your path to the ICE Engineering Technician (EngTech) qualification and Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

The WAA was founded in 2012 and has helped over 250 young people gain professional careers and qualifications in Wales. The Alliance is made up of the ICE, Welsh Government and Arcadis.

We have numerous partners in the Alliance which is made up of public and private organisations who employ the apprentices on a full-time basis.

Currently, there are civil engineering apprenticeships at levels 3, 4 and level 5. Each of these qualifications will include an equivalent NVQ to complete the framework and will be undertaken on a day release basis and be two years in duration.

From September 2024 degree apprenticeships will also be fully funded.

You will spend 80% of the time working and the remaining 20% studying at college. The WAA has worked hard to align colleges that deliver the approved ICE qualification, and the colleges currently delivering this are spread across the south of Wales.

As part of the Alliance, you will be invited to workshops, masterclasses and the ICE Breakfast Seminar meetings; these are a great opportunity to continue to learn outside of college and work, and also to network with your peers and other industry professionals.

The WAA advertises the vacancies on the Welsh Government Apprentice Vacancy Service, and CVs are welcomed from February until April with interviews taking place in May and June.

Your academic learning and workplace competence is assessed throughout, and at the end of your programme. This tests whether you have the knowledge and skills you need to do your job.

For more information on Civil Engineering apprenticeships in Wales, please email: [email protected].

Next Steps

Our UK-wide team can provide you and your employer with guidance and support throughout your apprenticeship journey. To find out how:

Call +44 (0)121 227 5948

Or

Call +44 (0)121 227 5948
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