Course Title Level 3 Building Services Engineering
College Leeds College of Building
Course Duration 2 Years
Course Delivery Day Release
Why did you choose to become an apprentice?
It was always my intention to try and secure an apprenticeship in the engineering industry after leaving sixth form. Ever since a young age I have always enjoyed learning in a practical way and getting hands on experience, so the ability to do this with an apprenticeship and receive a qualification at the same time really appealed to me. Also the fact that I could get paid while I was learning was an added bonus.
How do you combine your work and studies?
I go to college 1 day a week and work on site or in the office on the other 4 days. Although I always proritise getting my assignment work and revision done on my college day it can be difficult to fit everything in. In order to be successful you need to be prepared to spend additional time on college work at home, either after work or on weekends, to ensure that you are up to speed with your assignments.
What does a typical day consist of?
The good thing about my apprenticeship is that no two days are ever the same. A typical day will consist of working with my mentors on one of our projects performing different tasks such as procurement, quality assurance and health and safety. We spend a lot of time communicating with suppliers and sub-contractors, sending out enquiries and receiving quotations for the new projects we are working on, as well as organising commissioning and handover documents for projects that are coming to an end.
What opportunities / progression have you made / taken advantage of already in your career?
I have quarterly meetings with my mentors to discuss my progress, at these meetings I am able to request areas that I would like to spend more time on in order to gain more experience. The outcome of these meetings has enabled me to focus in more detail on the procurement side of a project, working closely with our sub-contract supply chain and influencing the selection and purchase of trades and materials. I have also had the opportuntity to spend time with the Design Team working with their software and understanding how my role as a future Project Engineer interacts with theirs.
How do you hope your career will progress in the future?
At the moment I am just looking forward to becoming a fully qualified Project Engineer with the right skills and experience to run my own projects independently. I enjoy the amount of responsibility that comes with my job and although sometimes it is challenging, it is also very rewarding.
What do you like most about working at Derry Building Services?
All of the people I have worked with since joining DBS are incredibly supportive. As an apprentice feeling comfortable enough to approach the people you work with and ask lots of questions is so important to make sure you get the most out of your apprenticeship.
What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?
My number one piece of advice for apprentices is to never be afraid of asking questions. If there is anything that you don’t know, don’t understand, or are unsure of there will always be someone willing and capable of helping you out and giving you the right answer. There is no need to struggle in silence.
