Apprenticeship Schemes

An apprenticeship is a great way of learning new skills, networking, gaining valuable work experience and getting qualified all while earning a salary. An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to kick-start a career in Highways and Transportation. You will work on projects that transform lives, gain invaluable experience from knowledgeable colleagues and tutors, and you can earn as you learn.

Our CIHT Careers page is full of useful information to get you started.

Below you will find information on apprenticeships in the highways and transportation sector, how to become an apprentice member with CIHT, information on other apprenticeship opportunities across the UK and testimonial of a former apprentice who has gone on to new heights in their career.

Apprentice Membership with CIHT is FREE. Please sign up here

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Why choose an apprenticeship in highways and transportation?

Transport is part of everyone’s lives; it connects communities and supports the economy. The highways and transportation industry offers an interesting and exciting range of opportunities that allow you to get involved in all aspects of the building, maintenance, operation, design and planning of transport networks. 

Work - Earn - Learn - Develop - Progress

Apprentice Membership with CIHT is FREE for all highways and transportation apprentices. An apprenticeship is a great way of learning new skills, networking, gaining valuable work experience and getting qualified all while earning a salary. You can work, earn and learn all at the same time!

 

Don't just take our word for it

CIHT is the End Point Assessment Organization for the Level 3 Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship. We work with dozens of employers and have administered nearly 150 successful End Point Assessments (EPA) on that apprenticeship standard since 2019.

Former Transport Planning apprentice, Amelia Williamson, passed her EPA in 2020 with CIHT and has gone on to new heights in her career as a City Planner in the Transport Strategy & Policy department at TfL.

Amelia Williamson - City Planner | Transport Strategy & Policy / TfL

“I chose to do a Transport Planning apprenticeship because it offered me the opportunity to get real world experience and gain invaluable employability skills in a sector that is part of everything we do.

As part of my apprenticeship, I also achieved the professional qualification of Engineering Technician (EngTech) with CIHT, who continue to provide me with professional development support. I very much appreciate the support that the CIHT continue to provide me after completing my apprenticeship”.


 

Apprenticeships in England

There are several ways that you can find an apprenticeship within the Highways and Transportation sector.

Whether you are an employer looking to hire an apprentice, or you are interested in an apprenticeship role, please see below links to the apprenticeship programs offered across the UK

Apprentice Membership with CIHT is FREE for all highways and transportation apprentices

 

Level 2 Apprenticeships

Level 2 apprenticeships are equivalent to 5 GCSE passes. Level 2 apprenticeships are considered Intermediate apprenticeships and usually take between 12 to 18 months to complete; split between 80% work and 20% study, although this can vary.

  • Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative
  • Tramway Construction Operative
  • Road Surfacing Operative
  • Highway Electrical Maintenance and Installation Operative

To find out more about Level 2 apprenticeships, search for the name of the apprenticeship on the IfATE website

 


 

Level 3 Apprenticeships

Level 3 apprenticeships are also known as advanced apprenticeships and are generally considered to be equivalent to two A level passes. Level 3 apprenticeships are considered advanced apprenticeships and are a minimum of 12 months long, although the average length is 3 years. When you complete a level 3 apprenticeship, you can go on to complete higher and degree apprenticeships.

  • Surveying Technician
  • Highways Electrician or Service Operative
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Tunnelling Operative
  • Engineering Design and Draughtsperson
  • Engineering Technician
  • Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship

To find out more about Level 3 apprenticeships, search for the name of the apprenticeship on the IfATE website

 


Level 4 Apprenticeships

Level 4 apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Level 5 apprenticeships are equivalent to a foundation degree, or a Higher National Diploma (HND). Level 4 apprenticeships are considered higher apprenticeships and can last between 1 to 5 years.

  • Engineer Surveyor
  • Civil Engineering Senior Technician
  • Land Referencer
  • Town Planning Assistant
  • Associate Project Manager
  • Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner

To find out more about Level 4 apprenticeships, search for the name of the apprenticeship on the IfATE website

 


 

Level 6 Apprenticeships

A Level 6 (Higher) Apprenticeship combines working for an employer with a qualification which is the equivalent to the final year of a bachelor's degree – all while getting paid!

  • Civil Engineer (Degree)*
  • Construction Quantity Surveyor (Degree)
  • Project Manager (Integrated Degree)
  • Transport planner (integrated degree)

To find out more about Level 6 apprenticeships search for the name of the apprenticeship on the IfATE website

 


 

Level 7 Apprenticeships

Alternatively, you could do a level 7 (higher) apprenticeship which will give you the equivalent to a Master's degree, Level 7 NVQ, PGCSE or Postgraduate Certificate. Due to the level of this apprenticeship, you will find that you'll be academically challenged when you're working towards your qualification.

  • Risk And Safety Management Professional (Degree)
  • Chartered Town Planner (Degree)

To find out more about Level 7 apprenticeships search for the name of the apprenticeship on the IfATE website

 


 

Apprenticeships in Scotland

Modern Apprenticeships

Modern Apprenticeships combine working and gaining a qualification and are offered at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 5 to 7. There are a range of apprenticeships to help you start your career in highways and transportation:

  • Construction Professional
  • Construction Technical
  • Construction: Civil Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Technical
  • Rail Engineering

Find out more about these Modern Apprenticeships at: Apprenticeship Scotland

Graduate Apprenticeships

Graduate Apprenticeships combine work with a HND or degree-level qualification, and normally comprise 80% work and 20% study.

  • Civil Engineering
  • Civil Engineering Higher
  • Construction and the Built Environment

Find out more about these Graduate Apprenticeships at: Apprenticeship Scotland

 


 

Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeships

Level 2 is the first level and the one that most new apprentices choose. You can either progress from Level 2 to Level 3 or go straight in at Level 3, depending on your ability and the qualifications you already have. It usually takes up to two years to complete one level and up to four years to finish the two levels depending on their complexity and your ability.

 

  • Engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
  • Construction - level 2 apprenticeship framework
  • Rail Industry – level 2 framework
  • Construction Technical – level 3 framework
  • Engineering – level 3 framework

Find out more about these foundation Apprenticeships at: NIDirect.gov.uk

 

Higher Level Apprenticeships (Level 4 and over)

Higher level apprenticeships offer qualifications from Level 4 to Level 8 and will take a minimum of two years to complete. Higher level apprenticeship are available in:

  • Transport and logistics
  • Built Environment
  • Civil engineering

Find out more about these Higher-level Apprenticeships at: NIDirect.gov.uk

 


 

Apprenticeships in Wales

There are four separate categories for apprenticeship levels in Wales. Understanding which level you should be applying for is very important. The separate levels start at Level 2 which is the Foundation Level apprenticeships, then Apprenticeship/standard (Level 3), to Higher apprentices (Levels 4 to 7), then Degree level apprentices (Levels 6 to 7).

There are a range of apprenticeships to help you start your career in highways in Wales.

 

Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeships 

  • Engineering Apprentice
  • Civil Engineering Apprentice
  • Civil Engineering Apprentice (Highways and Municipal)

Find out more about these apprenticeships at: Apprenticeships Cymru

 

Higher Level Apprenticeships (Level 4 and over)

  • Construction Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship
  • Rail and Rail Systems Engineering apprenticeship
  • Degree Apprenticeship - Engineering

Find out more about these apprenticeships at: Apprenticeships Cymru

 


 

Careers in Highways and Transportation

Whether you are just starting out in your career in highways & transportation or an experienced professional, CIHT can help to support your ongoing professional development.

CIHT provides access to a number of services which can expand your knowledge and practical experience and improve your chances of progression in your chosen career.

 

Join CIHT 

If you are an apprentice working in the Highways and Transportation sector, you can join CIHT as an Apprentice Member for FREE, by completing an online form.

More information is available here

 

Help & Support

CIHT are a hub of information, knowledge and support, if you want more information, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CIHT Education Team at: professionaldevelopment@ciht.org.uk

 

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Get ahead with CIHT Membership

Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT.  We are  committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career

Find out more