During sixth form, I had the opportunity to visit the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a 25-kilometre super sewer running beneath London. Designed to prevent 95 percent of historic sewage spills into the River Thames, the scale and complexity of the project sparked a deep interest in civil engineering. That visit helped me realise how infrastructure shapes society, and I knew I wanted to be part of that change. An apprenticeship felt like the perfect next step.
For me, it was an easy choice. An apprenticeship offers the chance to work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the country, gain qualifications and hands-on training, and get paid while doing it. Since joining BAM, I’ve had the chance to contribute to real-world projects and work alongside experienced professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. Construction is incredibly diverse, and every site brings together people with different skills, ages, and experiences who all work toward a shared goal. One of the most memorable moments of my career so far was being a part of and witnessing the breakthrough of the largest diameter tunnel boring machine in the UK as part of the Silvertown Tunnel project in London.
If you are considering a career in construction or an apprenticeship, I highly recommend reaching out to civil engineering employers directly or through your school. Seeing the work up close helps you understand what engineers do, the positive impact we have on people’s lives, and help you choose whether the industry is right for you.
This year, I was proud to receive the ICE QUEST Technician Scholarship and to be named a finalist for the 2025 New Civil Engineer Graduate and Apprentice Awards in the Degree Apprentice of the Year category. Looking ahead, I hope to achieve Chartered Engineer status and use my experience to mentor and support future apprentices on their journeys.
