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Employers

Apprentices combine working and learning; earning a wage as they gain the expertise and knowledge your business needs.

If your apprentice is following a civil engineering or built environment programme, ICE can support you both.

And if your apprentice is following a civil engineering or built environment programme, ICE can support you both.

Our team will train your apprentice’s mentor and, where possible, visit the workplace to make sure your apprentice is on track to complete their programme.

What’s more, our experienced staff can put your apprentice on the road to an ICE professional qualification, which brings a host of benefits for you both.

Our professional qualifications show that your employees have the skills and knowledge they need to contribute to your success. They also express your commitment to learning, development and maintaining the highest industry standards.

Apprentices can also join ICE as soon as they start their apprenticeship.

How is an apprenticeship run?

Apprenticeships run from two years (equivalent to Highers in Scotland and two A-levels in the rest of the UK) up to four or five years (for degree-level apprenticeships), depending on where in the UK the programme is run.

Broadly speaking, apprentices spend around 80% of the time working and 20% learning in the ‘classroom’, which could take place:

  • At a workplace
  • At a college or university
  • Through self-guided study or research

Your responsibilities

After taking on an apprentice, you must both sign an agreement. This formalises:

  • How long you’ll employ the apprentice for
  • The training you’ll give them
  • Their working conditions
  • The qualifications they’re working towards

You’ll also need to sign a contract with your apprentice and the training provider.

As an employer, you also provide your apprentices with a workplace mentor. This person should always be available to support their learning and development needs and address their concerns. For this reason, you need to allow for regular contact between the apprentice and their mentor.

ICE's role

ICE’s expert team can provide guidance and training for apprentices and their workplace mentors.

We’ll also work with you to help them throughout their journey. This includes helping apprentices prepare for their End Point Assessment (only applicable in England) and their professional qualification with ICE.

As mentors play such a crucial role in an apprentice’s development, we’ll also work with them to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to perform their role effectively.

The team can provide support and guidance for apprentices and mentors over the phone or, if required, in their workplace.

We also have a range of resources to help apprentices and mentors. This includes mentor training, online webinars, workshops and guidance documents. Staff are also available to give talks in colleges, universities and the workplace.

Regional differences

While the information above is broadly applicable to apprenticeships throughout the UK, some details will differ depending on where the apprentice lives and works.

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. You could also advertise your own vacancies and engage with training providers to make students aware of their opportunities.

To complete their programme, apprentices 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.

Gaining an ICE professional qualification

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

An ICE professional qualification is the mark of excellence. It will put your apprentice on the road to a successful career and give you confidence in their abilities. It will also ensure them to continue developing as a professional.

Find out how your apprentice can apply for professional qualification.

Your other employees can join ICE too

As well as apprentices, all civil engineers working in your organisation can become professionally qualified ICE members and take advantage of its benefits. Find out how your employees can join ICE.

Further information

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

In England, there are five civil engineering apprenticeships available to you and your apprentices:

  • 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)

When your apprentices complete a level 3 or 4 apprenticeship, they could progress to a degree apprenticeship.

End Point Assessment

To complete their apprenticeship, apprentices must take an End Point Assessment (EPA). This tests their ability to do the job for which they’ve been training.

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

You can find out if the academic element of an apprenticeship course meets the required conditions for professional registration with ICE by getting in touch with us at [email protected].

Application forms and gateway requirements (the criteria an apprentice must meet before taking the EPA) for the above apprenticeships can be found in the ‘Links and Guidance’ section below.

Recording experience – degree apprentices

Degree-level apprentices who would like to apply for an ICE professional qualification, must record and track their work experience in our easy-to-use online platform – IPD Online.

IPD is the ‘work experience’ part of the professional qualification, and our online tool enables your apprentice to map their 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 apprentice isn’t sure they want to apply for a professional qualification at the end of the apprenticeship, filling in IPD Online during the programme will make it easier to return to in the future.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

Gaining an ICE professional qualification

When your apprentice has successfully completed their apprenticeship, they 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 your apprentice on the road to a successful career and give you and your clients confidence in their abilities. It will also enable them to continue developing as a professional.

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

Your other employees can join ICE too

As well as apprentices, all civil engineers working in your organisation can become professionally qualified ICE members and take advantage of its benefits. Find out how your employees can join ICE.

Links and guidance

Find out more about the support ICE can provide with apprenticeships:

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

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 (Masters’ 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 your apprentices to learn new skills whilst they earn.

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

Degree-level apprenticeships are available through employers and universities.

Gaining an ICE professional qualification

When your apprentice has successfully completed their apprenticeship, they 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 your apprentice on the road to a successful career and give you and your clients confidence in their abilities. It will also enable them to continue developing as a professional.

Find out how your apprentice can apply for professional qualification.

Initial professional development (IPD) for degree apprenticeships

Apprentices who would like to apply for an ICE professional qualification, must record and track their work experience in our easy-to-use online platform – IPD Online.

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

Even if your apprentice doesn’t want to apply for a professional qualification straight away, it’s a good idea to use IPD Online, as it’ll allow them to in the future.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

Your other employees can join ICE too

As well as apprentices, all civil engineers working in your organisation can become professionally qualified ICE members and take advantage of its benefits. Find out how your employees can join ICE.

Further information

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

In Scotland, apprentices can follow Modern and Graduate programmes.

Modern Apprenticeships

By pursuing a Modern Apprenticeship, apprentices will be employed, learn on the job and spend time at college to build the knowledge and skills required for the role. They will 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 can be used as stepping stones to a Graduate Apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprenticeships

Graduate Apprenticeships combine work with HND or degree-level qualifications. They allow apprentices to earn whilst they learn and apply their learning to real projects.

Graduate Apprenticeships comprise 80% work and 20% study.

To complete the programme, apprentices must demonstrate that they have achieved the level of learning and skills laid out in the apprenticeship framework.

Initial professional development (IPD) for graduate degree apprenticeships

Civil Engineer Graduate Degree apprentices who are aiming to achieve an ICE professional qualification, must track and document their initial professional development (IPD). IPD is the ‘work experience’ part of the professional qualification, where apprentices develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need.

ICE has also developed an easy-to-use online tool – IPD Online – for apprentices to record and manage their IPD and help them achieve their professional qualification.

Find out more about IPD and IPD Online.

Gaining an ICE professional qualification

When your apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, they 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 your apprentice on the road to a successful career and give you the confidence in their abilities. It will also enable them to continue developing as a professional.

Find out how your apprentice can apply for professional qualification.

Your other employees can join ICE too

As well as apprentices, all civil engineers working in your organisation can become professionally qualified ICE members and take advantage of its benefits. Find out how your employees can join ICE.

Further information

Find out more about apprenticeships in Scotland by following the links below:

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

The WAA was founded in 2012 and has helped over 125 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.

Apprentices 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, apprentices 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 their peers and other industry professionals.

The WAA advertises the vacancies on the Welsh Government Apprentice Vacancy Service, and CVs are welcomed from March until the middle of May. The WAA will then hold interviews in June/July.

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

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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