NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Learning, earning and making a meaningful difference

Sweco author: Rav Kaur, Early Careers Partner at Sweco

National Apprenticeship Week presents us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate our inspirational apprentices, who are not only the future of Sweco, but who are all making an impact on society right now through transformational projects.

Apprenticeships are a great way to nurture talent, early in their careers, and empower them as we explore new ways to #TransformSocietyTogether, combining practical training with academic theory delivered by one of our Learning Partners during day or week block releases.

We currently have apprentices from across all four divisions and support services, studying at varying levels. Some have spent years’ working towards their degree qualifications, whilst others have just begun their journey towards a formal qualification.

Rebekah Odusote, an apprentice in our Water Digital Delivery Team has just started her apprenticeship, and says: “There are several paths one might go while beginning a career. I made the choice to take an apprenticeship after carefully weighing all my possibilities. This decision has a number of benefits, including the advantages of learning via practical experience, and the effect of an apprenticeship allows me to ask the silliest questions and receiving the most support”

Apprenticeships also offer a perfect stepping-stone into the world of work while still unlocking on-the-job education, particularly for those at the early stages of their career – providing an insight into the industry as well as developing technical knowledge and skills relevant to their role.

Taylor Riley, who will complete his Level 5 (HND) in Construction Management and the Built Environment, started his apprentice journey back in 2018. This year he has applied for his EngTech and following the completion of his HND, will go on to complete his degree with Leeds Beckett University. Taylor says: “I chose to do an apprenticeship because I like learning on the job and I thought this career path was best suited to me, as it allowed me to gain the necessary qualifications in a less learning intensive manner. Also, the aspect of earning money while gaining these qualifications was an attractive factor.”

Apprenticeships lead to industry-recognised certification, they demonstrate competency, commitment as well as practical experience; course modules are regularly updated so that they are relevant to the industry trends and developments; ensuring our apprentices’ advancement is aligned with the industry.

Thomas Lucas, an Apprentice in our Highways team said, “I chose an apprenticeship because it meant I could gain experience in professional capacity while also being offered the opportunity to apply my academic learning”.

Apprenticeships are not just a gateway into your careers, but also a great way to advance your career development through a structured learning environment that provides clear goals, expectations, and timelines.

This year in Early Careers, we will focus on bringing our Apprentice community together, giving them the opportunity to build networks, collaborate and connect with others in and outside of their field of experience. Developing their professional network, which will further enhance their opportunities, together.

If you’d like to discuss apprenticeship opportunities at Sweco, please contact us below.