To coincide with National Apprenticeships Week 2023, we’re sharing three case studies of apprentices working at ACE members in Wales. Our thanks to the Welsh Apprenticeship Alliance (WAA) for their support in securing the positive stories of Tom Perry (Burroughs) Rhys Davies (Arup) and Thomas Hillier (Coleg Gwent).

The Welsh Apprenticeship Alliance (WAA) works in partnership with the Welsh Government and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to encourage more to consider apprenticeships in our industry in Wales and is led by Julia Allen of ACE member Arcadis.

Tom Perry, Burroughs: “I fell into a job as a labourer and from there I could see a future in the industry”

I finished school and had a few part time jobs, including as a sports coach and as a barman on the weekends. I fell into a job as a labour on a construction site and from there I could see a future in the industry. Tom Perry

Where it all started: I started my apprenticeship much later than most people. I went into sixth form to obtain my A levels without knowing what I really wanted to do. I finished school and had a few part time jobs, including as a sports coach and as a barman on the weekends. I fell into a job as a labour on a construction site and from there I could see a future in the industry.

I applied for an apprenticeship through the Welsh Apprenticeship Alliance scheme and had a initial interview with Julia Allen and her team.

From there I was employed by Burroughs as a apprentice technician working on a number of projects.

Qualifications obtained: Through the apprenticeship scheme I obtained a number of different qualifications: BTEC level 3 in Construction and The Built Environment, NVQ Level 3 in Civil Engineering for Technicians, HNC in Civil Engineering, BSc in Civil Engineering (2023), Engineering Technician member of the ICE (EngTech), First Aider, Mental Health First Aider. I also have my CSCS card.

Where I am now and what I am working on: I’m currently in my final year of my BSc that is due to finish in early 2023.

I’m still working for Burroughs where I started as a apprentice technician and moved through the ranks to become a senior technician, CAD team leader and part of the senior management team of the company.

Throughout my time at Burroughs I’ve worked on a number of high-profile and large projects including the Southern Access RD Bro Tathan, Southern Link Road Phase 4 Worcestershire, Hoobrook Roundabout Worcestershire, and Newport Dock Waste to Energy scheme to name a few.

Rhys Davies, Arup: “I was unsure what career path to take”

Julia Allen from the Welsh Apprentice Alliance (WAA) came into the salon, we were chatting and got onto the subject of my science course; she suggested I consider the Civil Engineering apprenticeship path. Rhys Davies

Where it all started: I left school at 17 to do an apprenticeship in a hair salon in Cardiff. Whilst working in the salon, I was very interested in the science behind hair and what made the products and colours work. At this point I decided to go to college to study science and left two years later with a BTEC L3 in Applied Sciences and continued to work in the salon as I was unsure of what career path to take.

By chance, Julia Allen from the Welsh Apprentice Alliance (WAA) came into the salon, we were chatting and got onto the subject of my science course; she suggested I consider the Civil Engineering apprenticeship path. I did not know much about it at the time but after doing some research it piqued my interest and I applied as soon as I could.

I attended and interview in the ICE Wales office in Cardiff Bay where I met with Julia and her colleague. The interview was very positive – I found out more about the job role of a Civil Engineering apprentice and it really cemented my interest in pursuing this career path. Afterwards I was offered a second interview with Arup, also based in Cardiff Bay, and I received an offer to join their Highways team in August 2016.

Qualifications obtained: During the apprenticeship I studied BTEC L3 in Construction and the Built Environment for two years before progressing on the HNC L4 in Civil Engineering. I studied at Coleg Gwent on day release where I learned both practical and theoretical construction practices. This was a useful knowledge based that I could draw from whilst working at my company. I thoroughly enjoyed studying, the course leader, Tom Hillier was very passionate about construction and was always keen to help and get the best out of students.

I received EngTech Membership with the ICE in 2018 and Technical Apprentice of the year for Constructing Excellence Wales in 2019. Both were very proud moments for me as it meant that the hard work I had put in had been recognised and demonstrated that I was doing a good job.

Where I am now and what I am working on: Since starting with Arup my role has changed massively. Previously, I was working a lot with Computer Aided Design software producing 3D models and Engineering drawings for construction. I started going on site visits collecting data and gradually my roll changed to become more data focused.

Over the past two years I have been working as a Data Engineer looking at how teams interact with data on their projects, coming up with solutions to enable greater use and visualisation.

To supplement my knowledge in data, I am studying a part time degree in computing with University of Wales Trinity St David in Swansea, graduating in 2024. I have been very fortunate to have gone down this career path, I have had a lot of control over my career direction, and I have been supported by my company throughout the whole journey.

Thomas Hillier, Coleg Gwent (Newport Campus): "The community continues long after the apprentice has graduated into the professional"

The academy fosters the environment of lifetime learning, and the apprentices in return tend towards enthusiastic learning practices. Thomas Hillier

I have been working alongside the Welsh Apprenticeship Alliance as a program leader at Coleg Gwent for both level 3 and Higher National apprentices since its inception.

During this time, I have been privileged not only to meet, teach and assess a variety of excellent professionals in college and in their workplace, but also to become part of a community of learning and sharing.

The Academy provides apprentices with a support hub, through collaboration of the employers, the learning providers and the network of experienced professionals that make up its team.

Feedback that we have received always focusses on the student's ability to access support and knowledge through the spokes of that community, and they are always appreciative of the opportunity that they have.

The academy fosters the environment of lifetime learning, and the apprentices in return tend towards enthusiastic learning practices, questioning the processes and implementing improvements.

This dynamic environment also provides benefits for our fulltime learners as they are naturally inspired by the level of motivation and commitment that the apprentices exhibit, and they are also driven to aim to achieve that level.

The benefits of the apprenticeship scheme are a mutual journey for both the employer and the employee.  The Employer gains a learner that is enthusiastic and committed to learning and developing within the company, also a person that can be moulded within the company ethos.

The apprentice has the opportunity to learn, develop and eventually work alongside their fellow professionals, as most of our apprentices remain loyal to their companies and form integral members of the team.

Having worked with these apprentices for over a decade, I am often overwhelmed that the community continues long after the apprentice has graduated into the professional.  I am still in contact with many of the apprentices I have taught, and it is always encouraging to see the support they now provide to the next generation of apprentices.

With the restraints of Covid now subsiding it is wonderful to visit the offices once again and meet not apprentices but friends, fellow professionals, and those who are actively changing the world, as all of our apprentices have contributed to doing.

Explore our online Apprenticeship FAQs with a series of questions and answers for both candidates and employers interested in exploring the potential of apprenticeships.

View more National Apprenticeship Week content on the ACE website and on our social media channels. #NAW2023 takes place 6 to 12 February.