Apprenticeships combine practical on-the-job training with classroom-based learning, allowing you to gain hand-on experience whilst working towards a professional qualification – and the best part, you’ll get paid whilst doing it!
Apprenticeships with JN Bentley are hands-on from day one; with dedicated mentors to support your development throughout the course, you'll gain valuable experience and insight into the real world of work to provide the foundation for building a successful career.
From day one, you would be employed as a permanent member of staff and given the framework to build your future with us.
Take the first step towards a career in engineering with an apprenticeship in civil/site, mechanical or electrical engineering or quantity surveying.. With a mixture of on-site work experience and classroom theory-based learning at college, you’ll gain hands on experience while developing the knowledge you need to build a career in the engineering industry.
If you love getting stuck into practical work and enjoy the outdoors a construction groundworker apprenticeship could be for you. Spending most of your time out on site, coupled with practical learning at college, you’ll learn the essential skills of working in construction from laying foundations to concreting, brick-laying, steel-fixing and sheet piling.
Level 4 Civil Engineering Technician
Take the first step towards a career in engineering. With a mixture of on-site work experience and classroom theory-based learning at college, you’ll gain hands on experience while developing the knowledge you need to be a competent site engineer.
You’ll learn how to set out structures, roads, pipework and ducting above and below ground, and how to control line and levels to ensure these are set out as per design drawings.
Level 3 Utilities Engineering Technician
If you’re interested in how machines and systems work and enjoy problem solving, a career in mechanical, electrical or process engineering could be for you. You’ll learn about electrical, mechanical and instrumentation systems, gaining skills in troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, testing and commissioning.
Most of your time will be spent out on site, working as part of a team, and putting into practice what you’ve learnt at college.
Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors manage the commercial side of construction projects. If you have a strong practical mind and good maths skills then a career in quantity surveying could be for you. You’ll learn about the different types of construction contracts, procurement, cost control and monitoring and financial reporting.
In-between studying at college, you’ll spend time working in the office and out on site as part of the wider project team, learning the role of a quantity surveyor.
Level 2 Groundworker
If you love getting stuck into practical work and enjoy the outdoors a construction groundworker apprenticeship could be for you. Combining working on site with classroom-based learning in college, a groundworker apprenticeship provides hands-on experience and structured learning. You’ll spend most of your time out on site, working as part of a team with the support of a dedicated mentor to guide you.
The apprenticeship will give you a solid understanding of construction operations and give you the practical skills to be able to carry out a variety of construction-based tasks, whilst working on a live construction site. You’ll learn the essential skills of working in construction from laying foundations to concreting, brick-laying, steel-fixing and sheet piling.
Apprenticeships have long been a part of our history, and we value the ideas and energy that apprentices bring to our business. Our apprenticeships encourage both personal and professional development, providing you will the support and experiences you need to build a successful career in your chosen field.
An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines practical experience with training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification. It’s a fantastic opportunity to take important steps into a career, giving you the opportunity to gain practical skills and academic knowledge all whilst earning a great salary.
Each role will have its own requirements, so it’s always best to check the job advert when submitting your application, but the basic requirements are:
• You must be 16 years old or older.
• 5 GCSEs graded C/4 or above (including Maths and English).
• For our Level 4 Apprenticeships you will also need to have 2 A-levels or an equivalent Level 3 diploma.
• For some of our apprenticeships you must hold a full UK driving licence or be in the process of learning to drive.
Yes, we pay all our apprentices well above the apprentice national minimum wage. It’s important to us that our apprentices feel well rewarded for the roles they do.
This depends on exactly which apprenticeship qualification you do, but they are typically around 2-3 years.
Unlike many other employers, we offer all our apprentices a permanent role from day one. Accepting an apprenticeship with us means beginning a long term. We hope that accepting an apprenticeship with us marks the start of a long and successful career.
As a parent/guardian, you want your child to get the best possible start in their career and with so many options available to young people after they leave school, it can be daunting when offering advice. So here are some frequently asked questions to help you support your child in making the right decision for them.
What made you decide to take an apprenticeship role?
After researching what an apprenticeship entails, I believed it was the best route for me to ensure I would develop the key skills required to be a successful Quantity Surveyor. You have the opportunity to gain practical and relevant work experience alongside part time education.
What’s the best thing about being an apprentice quantity surveyor?
I enjoy that every day is different, whether that is where I am working or what I am doing throughout the day. I’m constantly learning and progressing towards my goal of being a quantity surveyor. In my opinion the best part of being an apprentice quantity surveyor is getting a degree without having to be in full time education which I believe has benefitted me massively.
How have you been supported?
JN Bentley have provided a wide range of support within the graduate and apprentice development programme, there’s been a wide range of meetings to enhance my knowledge of the water sector and different suppliers’ roles within the projects. I’ve also been paired with a mentor since I started who’s helped me settle in and guided me through the different software and processes. This has helped massively, if I ever have a question, I always have someone to go to.
What are your top tips for someone at the beginning of their apprenticeship journey?
Don’t be afraid ask questions as the more you ask the more you learn. No one expects you to know everything when you are new to the role and the business. I’d also suggest taking notes, when you first start there’s a lot to take in take in which is easy to forget, writing notes has always helped me as there’s always something to look back on.
What made you decide to take an apprenticeship role?
I didn’t want to go to university and wanted the experience of work while still getting qualifications to progress.
What’s the best thing about being an apprentice site engineer?
Definitely the crack with the team - everyone’s laid back but still pushes on to get the work done which helps avoid potential stress, also being able to work with management as well as the team on site.
How have you been supported?
Support comes from almost everyone around you, they want you to succeed as it makes their jobs easier. Everyone is willing to help and pass on their knowledge, which means you’re always learning new things.
What are your top tips for someone at the beginning of their apprenticeship journey?
Just listen and take in what you’re being told so you get a better understanding. Make sure you’re friendly to everyone, the more people that like you, the easier the job is when you get stuck. Another big tip is…use your time wisely, especially when you’re at college. If you need to catch up on paperwork college is the best place as things are busy on site. It’s also a good time to focus and plan. Staying on top of your work, organising and planning 2 steps ahead always helps.
What made you decide to take an apprenticeship role?
Leaving school, I went to college, however halfway through my first year I realised it wasn’t for me and something more practical and hands on would be better especially if I could earn and learn.
What’s the best thing about being an apprentice MEP engineer?
I’d say the best thing is, whoever you work with you’ll be learning on the job and using the tools. This ultimately builds your confidence, and you will become a better engineer.
One of the other best things about being an MEP apprentice is the engineers you work with. They all have different ways of teaching you different techniques to complete the job. They’re always willing to help and demonstrate practical skills so that you can build your own knowledge.
How have you been supported?
The opportunity JN Bentley have offered during my apprenticeship shows how much effort and thought they put into early careers.
There are loads of great things about being an MEP apprentice, there’s so much support whilst you learn, whether on site or your college work. When I don’t understand my college work or something on site I always ask for help, you can ask any of the other MEP engineers and they’ll all be happy to help.
What are your top tips for someone at the beginning of their apprenticeship journey?
You’re not expected to know everything straight away and the other engineers don’t expect you to learn overnight. If you don’t understand something, that’s normal and you can ask for an explanation, and someone will explain it to you.
When you start doing hands on tasks, take your time, don’t rush it just go through it step by step in your head. If you’re still unsure, just ask and the engineer you’re working with will happily show you again.
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