Trainee Site Engineer Review

I got involved in a wide variety of interesting tasks and I was given plenty of opportunities to gain skills and knowledge of techniques, that will benefit me throughout my intended career as a Civil Engineer.

It felt like everyone was working towards a common goal and happy to give you help when it was needed. Everyone acted professionally and recogonised the value of my work.

The Senior Site Engineer was keen to make sure I became competant in how to use each of engineering instruments used on this particular site, and that I gained as much knowledge and skills as possible. I felt my co-workers were very approachable and willing to help, and when mistakes were made they were very understanding.

There was always work to be getting on with, but due to the wide variety of work that a site engineer is involved in, the work remained interesting and it did not feel as if I was being overworked.

I became gradually more responsible for my work as the placement went on. Initially as I got to grips with what was required I had less responsibility, but as the weeks went on I was able to take on most of the work of a graduate engineer.

Not only was the on site experience invaluable for my intended career as a site engineer, I was put on an industry recognised training scheme by Morgan Sindall during my placement. This will help support my development as an Engineer while I am at university, and after I graduate. The experience has also helped me recognise why certain aspects of my university course are taught.

Depending on what work happening at each particular time in the project, the livelyness varied. At key milestones in the project everyone would work together positively and supportively of one another. There was always something interesting going on on the site and morale was usually high.

Most of the organisation was done by the company, I just had to give my preferences in terms of location and project type. It would have been good if it was organised a bit earlier, however the nature of the business means they do not know what projects will be able to take you until fairly late.

I was put on an Instituition of Civil Engineers training & development scheme that I can continue to work on and benefit from after leaving the company. I was taught how to use various pieces of equipment and my development was discussed at various stages during the placement.

I am going to have future summer placements with the company and I look forward to hopefully working for the company once I graduate.

Morgan Sindall has put students on my scheme in contact with each other so we can gain and give advice to each other. They arrange an annual group site visit where each of us can meet and catch up.

The cost of living was pretty reasonable and there was subsistance for accomodation and travel.

The site was located in a fairly rural area, so other than visits to the pub there was not much nightlife!

I visited the pub with some co-workers on several occasions.