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Callum Finch - Level 6 Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

“I chose to do an apprenticeship rather than going to university full-time because I wanted to get the full experience of working for a civil engineering company and get my qualifications part-time.

I completed my A-Levels and did some work experience with Galliford Try on the A45/A46 Toll Bar End Project in Coventry. This really gave me a great insight as to what it is like to work for a civil engineering company, to which I really enjoyed the experience and it made me want to apply for an apprenticeship with Galliford Try.”

How would you rate the teaching and support staff on this apprenticeship?

“The teaching and support staff have been remarkable. They have always been available for me if I needed it and they regularly send emails to check up on us to see how we’re getting on.

Teams has been greatly used to communicate with us and video calls have been arranged to check in with us from time to time. When I have wanted to set up meetings with lecturers they have always done so and been really helpful.

I would like to thank all the lecturers that have been there for me and helped me in my apprenticeship and studies as I don’t think I would have been able to complete it without their advice and support.”

I think the facilities at NTU have been outstanding, they have everything I need and have always been available to me. Even if there have been issues with getting things, for example books, staff have been able to get it for me in person or found online copies for me.

How have you balanced studying alongside your professional role? Have you felt supported by your employer?

“I have found it a challenge to balance my study alongside my role in the industry. However, it has been extremely rewarding too. Having put the work and the hours in, to finally say I have achieved my degree and other qualifications on the way has been a massive achievement and booster for me. This is what has encouraged and motivated me to do the best I can.

The support from my employer has been brilliant, they have supported me when I needed additional time at work and outside of work, and to be more flexible with my working where appropriate which has been a massive advantage to me which I am grateful for.”

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

“My favourite thing about my apprenticeship has been the possibility of studying whilst working at the same time. Being surrounded by experienced people in the workplace has been so beneficial for me as I have been able to ask questions I have been unsure about at university, and they have been able to answer them for me which has been a great benefit.

Being able to gain all the knowledge at university and apply it to my work in the industry has been really beneficial too as it has helped me to develop my skills in industry in my role as a Site Engineer.”

What advice would you give to someone considering a higher/degree apprenticeship?

“I would highly recommend considering taking a higher/degree apprenticeship. I believe that working full-time in any industry and studying alongside it has a massive advantage as you learn the study aspect but also get to implement this knowledge into the industry on a day-to-day basis while still studying. You also have a vast amount of people in the industry you can use to learn from and ask for help if you need it when studying. This also develops you and gives you better knowledge and experience than having gone to university full-time with getting little-to-no industry experience.”

To learn more about our apprenticeship courses, please contact apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk.