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 early careers development programme (ECDP) scheme, 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.