Full-time traineeships make up nearly 10% of Tolent’s workforce, and the company covers a range of career choices from quantity surveying, estimating, technical and engineering.
Trainee engineers Callum, Harry, Michael and Rob are all on the same career path, but all found their own way into engineering – we sat down with them to find out how traditional and non-traditional routes into engineering are working in 2019.
Michael will finish his degree in Construction Engineering Management at Northumbria University in 2020 and was inspired into engineering following a week’s work experience in school, where he got the chance to get onto the Cramlington Cinema project.
Following a more traditional route into his chosen discipline, Michael competed a BTEC Level 3 Civil Engineering and a HNC Civil Engineering course at New College Durham.
Working four days a week and one day at University, Michael said, “the best thing about my job is being able to constantly build and increase my technical knowledge by spending time on site and doing the practical part of engineering.
“My route into construction was a great way to build a solid foundation of technical knowledge and experience and I see myself continuing with my learning and working towards a career in management.”
Harry is following a similar path to Michael but is just starting out in his degree at Northumbria University, after completing his A-Levels and a HNC in Construction and the Built Environment at Gateshead College.
Having worked with Michael on site when he first started his traineeship, Harry is also thinking about moving into a management career having always wanted to work in construction.
“My Grandad actually founded Tolent back in 1983, so I’ve always known about the company and been excited at the prospect of working in the industry.
“You’re given quite a lot of responsibility and I really enjoying having a role to play within the team, whether that’s setting out the line and levels for all foundation works or completing surveys for subcontractors, I thoroughly enjoy seeing the drawings come to life and understanding more about the time and effort it takes to create the finished build.”
Following a less traditional route, Rob was one of the first placements Tolent took on as part of the award-winning PlanBEE programme.
Established by Ryder Architecture and delivered through Gateshead College, the higher apprenticeship programme gives students a chance to rotate over a two year period to various companies who specialise in different areas of architecture, engineering and construction.
“I didn’t really know what role I wanted to follow within construction, so PlanBEE really worked for me as I was able to experience a number of different roles and it had a greater promise of a job at the end of the programme which was something I really valued," commented Rob.
As part of his rotation with Tolent, Rob spent a week with site engineers on the Beacon of Light project, six weeks with quantity surveyors and some time back on site with project managers, “I definitely preferred a role that enabled me to get out on site, as I really enjoy seeing the changes you put in place actually happen on site and throughout the construction process.
“I would definitely recommend a career in construction to anyone wondering if it’s right for them. I find it really rewarding, not only are you able to meet so many people from different trades and consultancies, you also get the opportunity to work on a whole range of different projects.”
Callum secured a temporary labourer job with Tolent which was where he first took an interest and was introduced to the idea of engineering.
Getting involved in surveying, using technical drawings and a general understanding of what it took to be an engineer, he continued working hard and was offered a full time trainee engineer role in the summer of 2017.
“I hope to go on and start a HNC in construction and continue to work on site, both helping me to build up my knowledge and experience of engineering and the wider construction world.
“The help and guidance from everyone I’ve worked with during my time with Tolent is what’s spurred me on to pursuing a career in engineering. I’m constantly learning from the people around me and I can’t thank them enough.”
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