Daniel Williams is one of the three first year Civil Engineering Degree apprentices who joined us at the beginning of November 2018. He is normally based at the Cannock office but is out and about on sites, most often in Warwickshire.
As degree apprentices, we get the chance to work in a variety of departments throughout the five-year course. I’m currently working in Land and Marine Engineering on the HS2 enabling works project. So far, the work I have participated in has been diverse; I have spent time surveying excavations, setting out and most recently I have been working on the construction of four bell mouths.
The contrast in work has been stimulating and it has been motivating arriving at work and not always knowing what each day may hold. The numerous responsibilities of engineers and the flexibility afforded to them within the company has also piqued my interest. Working amongst different teams and being able to learn from lots of different people is also a highlight.
My immediate objectives include finishing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Warwick, where on completion I will be able to qualify as an incorporated engineer. After this I would like to work towards becoming chartered.
Within the business, I aim to learn as much as possible from all the people I work with and rotating through the different departments gives me the ideal opportunity to do this. In terms of a specific role, I do not know exactly what I wish to do. I have interests in business and a role that allies engineering with a commercial aspect. I will have to wait and see what opportunities arise.
LM is a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons Ltd, who are looking after an 80km section of HS2’s phase one. It stretches from Long Itchington Wood near Kenilworth, into Birmingham city centre at Curzon Street, and out again northwards Lichfield, where Phase 1 will join the existing West Coast Main Line. Read more about the project by clicking below.