Zaki Bavington – Case Study
Employer: Clancy Consulting
Job Title: Civil / Structural Technician
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician Standard
Why did you decide to follow the route of an Apprentice?
When leaving sixth form I was thinking about what I wanted to do next. I chose to do Civil/Structural Engineering as both of my Grandads were Structural Engineers and through that my interest for engineering grew. From this, I chose to do an Apprenticeship as I wanted to work within the industry and get my foot in the door early. Working full time and going to college once a week means that I am ahead of people who didn’t chose the route of an Apprenticeship not only with my knowledge in engineering but also my professional development. This is invaluable experience I couldn’t have obtained any other way and knowledge that I would not have otherwise have.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
A typical day at work for me involves a variety of tasks, depending on which projects I am working on and if I am going to site. I mainly undertake the drawing aspects of the projects as my primary role is being a technician but I have also started to do more basic design. The drawings I do can vary from doing site general arrangements and then sections and elevations, to doing simple details for smaller projects. I also go on site visits to inspect what has been done on site and compare them to do the drawings and design that we have specified. On site visits, we also have meetings with the whole design team to discuss what has been done so far and what else needs to be carried out.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy my job a lot as no two days are the same and I like the problem solving which comes along with the projects we face. The variety of tasks I undertake daily means that I don’t get bored – looking at different designs each day. I enjoy doing drawings as what starts out as a blank drawing sheet turns slowly into a technical design and complex drawing which is eventually what is used to build from. I also enjoy going to site as this is where I can look at what I have drawn or designed. Seeing what was on a page being built in real life is cool and makes the time and effort worth it.
How did your STEGTA Training Officer and Employer support you throughout your Apprenticeship?
Throughout my Apprenticeship, I was well supported by my STEGTA Training Officer Olga and also my Line Manager Warrick Pannell as well as the rest of my colleagues who help me with different aspects of my work. Warrick helps me with any work which I am struggling with or helps me overcome engineering problems I may not know the answer to. His support is very valuable due to his experience, knowledge and background within engineering. My Training Officer was a vital part in helping me complete my competence based portfolio and I would not have been able to complete it in the time without Olga helping me with timescales and checking that I was meeting the right standard. Olga was also very influential in helping me complete my EPA applications and assisting with my preparation for my EPA, ensuring that I was ready for it.
How has your role developed since starting with your employer?
Throughout my time at Clancy Consulting, my role has changed and developed as I have become more experienced and as I have gained knowledge over the last two years. I have taken on more responsibility from doing basic drawing to doing more technical drawings, basic design and calculations. In my first 6 months, I was learning the basics of all types of design software and getting to know engineering procedures and processes for undertaking drawings. After some time, I started to do more technical drawings and doing drawings independently with the knowledge I had gained over time and experience I have developed. As I started to do Structural Analysis and Structural Mechanics at College, I started to also do this at work so I could put into practice what I had been learning at College. I have taken on more of a responsibility within my drawings and my role as an Apprentice as my Apprenticeship has progressed.
Do you hope to progress to any further training/higher education?
After completing my Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, I progressed to a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering which I am currently studying with Coventry University. This will enable me to further progress my knowledge within Civil Engineering so that I can become a fully qualified engineer. Alongside my studies, I will be doing off the job training and further progressing my skills, knowledge and experience within the field.