Structural engineer apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university coursea college coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this role
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate award in:
- structural engineering
- architectural engineering
- civil and structural engineering
You can find out about courses accredited by professional engineering institutions from the Engineering Council. You'll usually need 2 or 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree. You'll need a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study.
College
You can take a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering at college, which may help you to find work as a trainee engineer. You'll do more training on the job to qualify.
You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma.
Apprenticeship
You could complete a civil engineer degree apprenticeship and take professional training afterwards to qualify in structural engineering. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship.
Work
You could start as a civil or construction engineering technician and study for a degree qualification while you're working. If you're aged between 11 and 18, you can do 'taster' days and short residential courses with the Engineering Development Trust to get an idea of what it's like to study and work in engineering.
Professional and industry bodies
You can become a member of The Institution of Structural Engineers.
Structural engineer apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of building and construction
- design skills and knowledge
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Structural engineer apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- develop engineering plans using computer software
- investigate the properties of building materials like glass, steel and concrete
- advise on which material is best for the job
- work out the loads and stresses on different parts of a building
- use computer models to predict how structures will react to the weather
- work out ways to improve energy efficiency
- inspect unsafe buildings and decide whether they should be demolished
- prepare bids for contract tenders
- supervise project teams
- give progress reports to clients and senior managers
- work out why and how buildings have collapsed, like after an earthquake
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, on a construction site, on a demolition site or in an office.
Your working environment may be cramped, dusty, at height, outdoors some of the time and noisy.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression - Structural engineer apprenticeships
You could move into construction design, project management, research and lecturing.
You could specialise in work like conservation projects, building using more sustainable materials or forensics where you might investigate why a building or structure has failed.
You could also move into consultancy work, like providing services to building insurers, or work overseas on construction and engineering projects with disaster relief agencies like RedR UK.