Molly, Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice
Molly, Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice
Tell us about your role within the company you work for and what it involves. How does it relate to the degree apprenticeship?
I work for a large multi-discipline engineering consultancy within their Bridges team based in Exeter. As a bridge engineer, I am involved in all aspects of the asset lifecycle – from design and construction to maintenance and demolition. I work closely with local councils to maintain their structures and ensure that all the bridges you and I use daily are safe and capable carrying today’s traffic requirements. The degree apprenticeship has allowed me to develop my technical skills in all areas of engineering, not just my discipline, and given me the skills and confidence to expand my knowledge into cross-discipline projects.
What would you say were the benefits of doing an apprenticeship in comparison to returning to full-time education?
An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt in the classroom to real-world projects and being active in a workplace allows you to develop professional skills you wouldn’t otherwise develop in full-time education, such as professionalism, networking, and collaboration with multiple disciplines. Apprenticeships also give you an opportunity to earn a wage, allowing your personal life to progress alongside your degree, and you come out the other side with a degree and no debt.
How has studying for a degree apprenticeship benefitted your future career? Has it opened new doors or progression for you?
The benefits of doing a degree apprenticeship are that it boosts your career significantly. Compared to the typical path of university and then work, by the time I finished my part time degree (which is only 2 years longer than a traditional degree) I have amassed 5 years of direct industry experience and achieved professional accreditation within my industry. I am much more employable and earning a better wage in my position than someone who has complete a full-time degree and gained 2 years industry experience.
A degree apprenticeship can benefit more than just the apprentice, providing opportunities for others in the company to step up. Have you seen any positive developments in your team as well as in yourself?
Apprentices have given my team a real refreshment on ideas and processes. The differences and passions that young apprentices bring to the workplace allow deeper thinking and produce better designs among the team. Apprentices have also encouraged usually quite team members to step up as mentors and take on more responsibility. This has left both the apprentice and the mentor feeling more connected to the team and the productive overall.
How important are the roles of workplace mentor and academic mentor for you as an apprentice?
Workplace mentors are crucial to the successful completion of the apprenticeship. The workplace mentor not only teaches the apprentice based on their experience, but also works with the university to ensure the company are giving the apprentice relevant experience to pass professional accreditation. Academic mentors also play a crucial role in the apprenticeship, acting as a point of contact for any academic worries, as well as reporting back to the workplace mentor with suggestions on how the company can support the apprentice.
How supportive has Exeter been? How have they helped you through the process?
The University of Exeter has been incredibly supportive throughout my time studying and after graduating. The Degree Apprenticeships team has kept me informed of my responsibilities regarding the End Point Assessment (EPA) and professional accreditation throughout the course, inviting special guests to deliver informative presentation about the EPA. They have also helped through the next steps after graduating, chatting about further education, and even acting as references for applications.
