Civil Engineering Apprentice - GCA Consulting

GCA (UK) LTD

Derby (DE1 3EE)

Closes on Sunday 28 February 2027

Posted on 25 September 2026


Summary

Join GCA Consulting as a Civil Engineering Apprentice and gain hands-on experience working on real engineering projects while studying towards a Civil Engineering.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Civil engineer (level 6)
Hours
Monday- Friday 9am- 5.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 September 2027

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

Apprentice duties will include assisting engineers with the design of highways, drainage and infrastructure projects. Typically, this will involve:

  • Preparing engineering drawings, calculations and technical reports using industry software
  • Attending site visits and surveys to support project delivery and gain practical experience
  • Working with project teams to develop engineering solutions and meet client requirements
  • Building knowledge and skills through day release study and workplace mentoring

Where you'll work

St. Helens House
King Street
Derby
DE1 3EE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY

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

The apprentice will receive structured on-the-job training from experienced civil engineers, gaining practical experience in design, project delivery and site activities. Regular mentoring, technical training and supervised project work will support their development alongside their degree apprenticeship studies, helping them build the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in civil engineering.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)
  • Physics (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative

About this employer

At GCA, we operate across three offices in Derby, Leicester and Warwick, working collaboratively as one team to deliver a diverse range of projects. Our portfolio spans everything from small-scale residential developments to large commercial schemes, as well as historic and conservation projects. With such a broad variety of work and a wealth of expertise across the business, GCA offers extensive experience, knowledge and support, enabling us to provide innovative and practical engineering solutions for every project we undertake.

Company benefits

AXA Healthcare and cash back plan, family and work socials, profit share

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Progression opportunities would be for the student to stay on as a Graduate Engineer

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY

victoria.cragg@gca-consulting.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055651.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 28 February 2027

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.