Apprentice Civil & Structural Engineer
NORTHERN STRUCTURAL SERVICES LTD
MACCLESFIELD (SK10 1AU)
Closes on Monday 20 July 2026
Posted on 27 May 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an excellent route into civil and structural engineering for someone who wants to gain a degree, earn a salary and build meaningful practical experience from the start of their career. The degree is in civil engineering, but the role at NSS will also provide direct experience in structural engineering
- Wage
-
£21,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
a starting salary of £21,000 per annum;
anticipated salary progression to £24,000 per annum by Year 3, subject to satisfactory performance, university progression and annual review; - Training course
- Civil engineer (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm with a day spent in university within term time.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
What you will do at NSS
The successful candidate will work alongside our engineers on a wide range of civil and structural engineering projects.
This may include:
- Preparing drawings using AutoCAD, Revit and other design software; assisting with structural calculations and design work, helping develop civil engineering designs, including drainage, external works and SuDS
- Supporting structural design using steel, concrete, masonry and timber; attending site inspections with experienced engineers
- Assisting with structural reports, sketches and technical notes;
learning how engineers communicate with architects, contractors, clients and other consultants - Gaining exposure to specialist areas such as 3D modelling, analysis software, renewable energy infrastructure and onshore wind turbine foundations
As an established consultancy, we can offer broad experience across different areas of civil and structural engineering.
Our aim is to help the right candidate develop into a capable, well-rounded engineer with a strong understanding of both design and construction.
Where you'll work
1 PRESTBURY ROAD
MACCLESFIELD
SK10 1AU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD, THE
Training course
Civil engineer (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
- Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
- Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
- Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
- Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
- Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
- Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
- Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
- Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
- Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
- Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
- Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
- Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).
- Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
- Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
- Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
- Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
- Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
- Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
- Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
- Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
- Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
- Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
- Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
- Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
- Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Levels or Equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
Other requirements
The role will require reliable travel to our office in Macclesfield and to university in Salford. Candidates should be realistic about the time-management and travel commitment involved.
About this employer
Northern Structural Services are a multidisciplinary consultants specialising in Civil & Structural Engineering.
We have been in business for 50 years, and actively cultivate an interesting and varied work profile.
We have a collaborative work environment and aim to help all of our technical staff become well rounded and highly skilled engineers.
https://www.northernstructuralservices.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- One-to-one mentoring
support towards professional registration - Employer pension contribution
- Cycle to Work scheme
After this apprenticeship
- Completion of the apprenticeship does not need to be the end of the journey
- For someone who performs well and wants to continue developing, NSS can support further progression, including future development towards Chartered Engineer status
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTHERN STRUCTURAL SERVICES LTD
Garry Harrison
garry@northernstructuralservices.co.uk
01625425243
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032890.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 20 July 2026