This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating the talented individuals shaping the future of engineering.
We recently sat down with Andrew Hall, an Apprentice at CampbellReith, to talk about his journey so far. Andrew shares what and where he is currently studying, why he chose the apprenticeship route, what he has enjoyed most to date, and some of the challenges he has encountered along the way. He also reflects on whether he would recommend a degree apprenticeship to others considering a career in engineering:
What and where are you currently studying?
“I am currently doing a degree apprenticeship with CampbellReith and the University of Salford studying BEng Civil Engineering”.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
“I chose to take the apprenticeship route over going to university as I saw it as a good opportunity to learn effectively by gaining real-world experience whilst learning the theory behind the projects I work on. It also allows me to develop my knowledge and skills directly whilst advancing my career”.
What have you most enjoyed so far?
“I have most enjoyed the technical aspects of the job whether that be designing systems, verifying calculations and applying theory to real-world projects and outcomes. I also enjoy working with a good team of engineers who support me and allow me to develop”.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
“The biggest challenge I have faced so far has been having to learn without any prior experience or specific higher education. This has been challenging at certain times but having an experienced team supporting me has helped me to progress”.
Would you recommend a degree apprenticeship to others?
“I would definitely recommend doing a degree apprenticeship to others. Although it is a major shift in day-to-day life and can be challenging at times, you gain real experience whilst learning and still graduate with a degree at the end of your course”.