National Apprenticeship Week – Hear from our Apprentices

Abigail Scott has been with Farrans since September 2023 as an Apprentice Civil Engineer working on Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA). Abigail has been pleased with how quickly she has acquired new knowledge as part of her on site experiences.

What made you want to choose an apprenticeship pathway?

I loved the idea of being able to learn by being hands-on and applying my knowledge to work on site. I’m a practical learner so being able learn through doing really appealed to me. An apprenticeship also lets me earn a qualification while developing professional skills, confidence, and a strong work ethic. I see it as the best way to build a long-term career, gain industry insight, and grow under the guidance of experienced professionals.

How did you apply for this apprenticeship?

In college I had been studying a Level 3 course in Engineering Technologies, that was sponsored by Anglian Water. One of the may benefits to this was a guaranteed interview with their alliances if you succeeded in the completion of the course. This was companies from both SPA and @One alliances. I got through to the interview where Farrans then took me on as an apprentice, studying Level 3 Engineering Design, so I never applied but I completed the course with a distinction overall and completed a presentation and a Q&A session for the interview process.

What has your experience been like so far?

I have loved every single moment. I started off by shadowing other engineers on the project and the amount of knowledge they transferred to me was incredible. You are constantly learning new skills and the staff at Farrans are not afraid to involve you in certain aspects of the projects, especially if it is something you want to learn.

What would your advice be to people considering an apprenticeship in engineering?

My best advice is to show up and be willing, that is enough. Farrans especially are very open to support individuals that want to be there and are eager to learn. Also, there is no such thing as a ‘stupid question’ so don’t be afraid to ask help when you needed it, someone on site will be able to assist you even if it isn’t the person you ask.

What does an average week look like for you?

Every week on SPA is completely different dependant on site needs, most weeks consists of site visits to see the crews in the field, ensuring all paperwork is completed to the highest standard and making sure works are being carried out safely. I also complete tasks such as setting out and taking as-builts and completing CAT scanning when needed. There is also a lot of office-based tasks I complete, such as, making and issuing permits, completing records of the operatives and plant in my relevant areas and documenting any delays or issues that have occurred day to day. I also liaise with multiple stakeholders on site, including agricultural liaison office, management staff and ecologists to ensure any issues are rectified in the most efficient way.

Is it hard juggling work and study?

I don’t think it is hard, especially if you are good at time management. You have allocated time to complete study and Farrans offer 2 additional study days that you can take whenever suits you best.

What have you learned since starting your apprenticeship?

My apprenticeship has taught me so many new skills and a lot of technical knowledge throughout the 3 years I have been with Farrans and on the SPA project. I had never stepped foot on a site when I started so the technical side was very non-existent, now I can explain to people the activities taking place on site in detail. One of the main things I have learnt is communication, this is one of the skills I use every day, and I couldn’t do my job if I didn’t. I completed my Level 3 Engineering Technologies course during Covid, so all my lectures took place online which meant I did not have the opportunity to speak to anyone in a professional setting. Being on site for the first day opened my eyes to how afraid I was to have conversations with different people, but now I approach people, even if it is just to ask how they are.