A modern approach
Apprenticeships are viewed today as very worthwhile options to those who do not want to follow the full time further and higher education route. University or college education isn’t for everyone, and with the added pressures of student debt that higher education can bring, the appeal of learning a profession while studying is gaining a great deal of traction in the modern working climate. Powers has been working with and training apprentices for four years now, and we recently employed our sixth apprentice.
One of our apprentices, Dan Watson, has spent two years studying a Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship – he’s working with us as a land and engineering surveyor, which entails a great deal of site work, as well as processing the data in our office. The role appealed to Dan, as he loved the outdoors and he enjoys the precise nature of capturing measurement data on site: “No two days are the same, each site that I visit is different and I like the variety. I started working at Powers in June 2022 and I am now coming to the end of my apprenticeship. I’ll be starting my End Point Assessment for it soon, which I am looking forward to completing.”
Learning and understanding
Working in construction means that health and safety is really important, so there’s training on completing risk assessments and method statements, both at college and at work, as part of the apprenticeship: “I study for the Level 3 qualification at Cronton Sixth Form College in Widnes, Cheshire for one day a week on a Monday and work at Powers for the other four days”.
Dan’s role with us means that he carries out measured surveys for all types of clients in the engineering and construction industries. He gathers on-site data, using highly accurate (and highly expensive!) equipment, with to-the-millimetre accuracy and then back at the office, we process it into drawings or 3D models. We often work in teams of two, sometimes solo, as Dan explains: “When I first started at Powers, I spent a lot of time gathering data on-site, but now I am completing my own small and medium-sized surveys from start to finish. This has helped me to understand the whole project lifecycle of a survey project.”
You can read more about Dan’s story in the inaugural issue of ‘Choices’ magazine from Amazing Apprenticeships.
A great opportunity
We currently have a further vacancy for a trainee land and engineering surveyor apprentice and we’re on the lookout for a suitably enthusiastic and capable candidate. All training, equipment and instruction will be provided by us and the college. Salaries for this apprenticeship at Powers range between £15,600 and £25,000 per annum (the cost of £13,000 for the apprenticeship course is in addition to this salary) for a 24-months fixed-term apprenticeship, with progression at the company offered on successful completion of the course.
Gaining experience
The applicant will gain experience on a wide range of surveying sites and be involved in client projects from start to completion. They’ll work closely with experienced surveyors, who will mentor our apprentice and provide on-the-job training and guidance. As in Dan’s experience, the role involves block release study to complete the Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship. Having completed the apprenticeship, there are excellent prospects for the future, with opportunities and support for career progression. There will also be ongoing access to additional training for further qualifications and support in place to achieve professional accreditations.
Applications for our apprenticeship vacancy close on 30 September 2024, so if you or anyone you know think they might fit the bill and have what it takes to become a Powers surveyor, then apply online today.
