I joined Devon County Council in September 2012 after completing a full time college course and started on the Advanced Apprenticeship scheme. In this role I was to gain experience and understanding in several different teams in Highway Maintenance and the Engineering Design Group. I worked in placements of 1-3 months, including working in Highway Asset Management, Materials Laboratory, Routine & Reactive administration, Business & Customer Management Team, Traffic Management Team, Tiverton Area Neighbourhood Highway Team, Tiverton Area Program Delivery Group (PDG) and EDG Bridges & Structures Team. During my apprenticeship I attended Petroc College Tiverton on day release and completed a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment and an NVQ Level 3 in Construction Contracting Operations.
In August 2014 I successfully gained a place on the Higher Level Apprenticeship scheme and completed a HNC Level 4 in Civil Engineering on day release at Somerset College of Arts and Technology (SCAT) in Taunton. I remained in my last placement with the EDG Bridges & Structures Team and gained permanent employment within this team as a Trainee Technician in April 2015.
In this role I have been involved in small and large schemes and projects with unique a variety of challenges and obstacles involved. Some schemes I have been involved in include Peekhill cycle bridge in Dousland on the former Princetown Branch Railway, Heathfield cycle bridge over the A38, the reinstatement of the Bere Alston to Tavistock Railway, Meavy Cross Bridge deck replacement in Dousland and many other schemes around the county. I have undertaken several responsibilities within these schemes, such as topographical surveying, CAD work, site supervision, report writing, design, land negotiations, project management and have been given the chance to really get involved in all aspects of these projects.
In September 2017 I began studying an FdSc in Civil and Coastal Engineering at South Devon College, which is also as part of an apprenticeship which is due to be completed in June 2019. I aspire to continue my studies and top up to a BSc in the coming years.
In October 2018 I also progressed to become an Engineering Technician and have future ambitions to become a fully-fledged Engineer within DCC. Throughout my career with DCC I have thoroughly enjoyed the work I have undertaken and there is a real team-working mentality in all the teams I’ve worked in.