Learning the trade: meet our apprentices.

Sophia Prew, Project Manager Apprentice, and Miles Southern, Design Engineer Apprentice tell us what life is like undertaking an apprenticeship at Arcade.

What made you decide you wanted to do an apprenticeship?

Miles: There are multiple reasons why I wanted to pursue an apprenticeship. One is the opportunity that an apprenticeship provides: you gain so many benefits, skills, and knowledge throughout the course. You become an employed individual who receives an education both in the classroom and at work. What really benefits me about an apprenticeship is the learning aspect. I understood while at secondary school that I learn best practically, so I believed that choosing the apprenticeship route would prove effective for my growth.

Sophia: Apprenticeships give you valuable work experience that isn’t available by simply going to university. The fact I get paid while learning eliminates the issue of having to pay back any student loans!

What do you enjoy most about doing an apprenticeship? What are the best bits?

Miles: I really enjoy getting to grips with new equipment – the practical element of the education - and then taking this knowledge onto the sites.

What’s the one thing that has made you felt proud since you started?

Sophia: Learning how to use Arcade’s new software and becoming an expert with it. I love being able to teach my colleagues how to use it, which creates a significant business benefit.

Miles: One thing that makes me proud is adding value and being told that my efforts are appreciated by senior colleagues. Hearing genuine gratitude from others makes me proud of my work and motivates me to become more efficient and effective.

I am equally proud that I have gained trust from the team to be given the responsibility of having projects of my own. I design these from start to finish while gathering all the necessary information to complete the job successfully.

What’s been the biggest surprise so far, good or bad?

Miles: The biggest surprise for me was pushing myself to learn independently, knowing that I am able to complete a task or learn a new piece of equipment without having to go to my line manager for assistance. It instils in me that I can improve my knowledge and skills on my own. This can be useful if a problem occurs on a project and I am unable to ask my line manager for assistance.

Why did you choose Arcade as the place to do your apprenticeship?

Sophia: Through my work experience, I learnt about the team at Arcade and how enjoyable it was to work with them. This was the main reason why I decided that I wanted to work here.

Miles: I wanted to work for Arcade because they gave me an opportunity that I couldn't pass up, offering a role for an apprentice design engineer. With my background in CAD and Arcade’s offices being local to home, this was an opportunity that fitted perfectly. I knew a couple of people who work at Arcade, which gave me the confidence that this was the right apprenticeship for me. I couldn’t believe my luck - an engineering job that plays to my strengths, supporting me to continue my education as well as offering practical learning. Being offered a fair salary, as well as working in a supportive and sociable culture, alongside an approachable leadership team helped make my decision. There are so many benefits to working here!

What does a typical day/week look like for you? In terms of work, training and study?

Sophia: My working week consists of my helping out the project managers and admin team wherever I can, whilst they support for me with my assignments. I work in the Arcade offices Monday to Thursday, before ending my week at university on a Friday.

Miles: A typical week for me isn't always the same. On Mondays, I am usually at university for the whole day and, if I'm able to, I go rock climbing with friends for a couple of hours before I head home. Tuesday to Friday can be anything from working on designs in the Arcade office, attending meetings, going to sites to record some 'as-built drawings' or scanning the facility to improve the accuracy of designing a 3D model for the job.

What is your apprenticeship? How long is it for? And how far are you in?

Sophia: I am doing a four-year Project Management degree apprenticeship, which I started at the beginning of January.

Miles: I am six months into a five-year apprenticeship as a Design Engineer. I am taking a Building Services Engineering course which covers a broad scope of information, knowledge, skill-building, and regulations for mechanical, electrical and public health systems.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Sophia: The experience, knowledge and connections you gain as an apprentice are invaluable. If you put in the work, you will get so much out of it.

Miles: Taking an apprenticeship is an opportunity always worth taking. The growth in demand for apprenticeships is rising for a reason, and if you get accepted into your preferred apprenticeship, you will be thanking yourself many times over.