Meet the Ambassadors

Anna Carver

Anna is a Trainee Civil Engineer with Milestone Infrastructure. She is currently working towards a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which she started in 2019 after completing A Levels in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and IT at Maricourt High School in Liverpool.

Anna Carver
Trainee Civil Engineer
Milestone Infrastructure

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I had already done a degree in biology but didn’t feel like it was the right thing for me. I looked at other opportunities that utilised my skill set and noticed civil engineering matched quite well. I knew I didn’t want to go back to university full time, but also knew I would need to retrain, so an apprenticeship felt like the right balance.

How did you find out about your apprenticeship?

I did a lot of research online myself using the government apprenticeship website.

What does your job involve?

I design new roads and highway improvements within Oxfordshire. I use computer aided design software like AutoCAD to produce design drawings of the highways, which are then used on site by the construction team to build the project. I work in a team with other engineers to create these designs and produce the documentation, apply for permits and consider the health and safety issues that might arise when the project is constructed.

What’s the coolest thing about your job?

Seeing something I’ve designed being built and getting positive feedback from the public who have then used it.

What have you gained from your apprenticeship?

I have gained lots of valuable experience from my job and my colleagues about civil engineering, whether that’s how to use certain software, how to solve problems or how to work with a wide variety of people. My communication skills have drastically improved, which has also helped my self-confidence. I am now experienced in using computer-aided design amongst other engineering software. I have learnt how to work independently and make informed design decisions.

What do you plan to do next?

My aim is to help make the industry more environmentally friendly and meet the zero carbon targets set. I also want to encourage people with a wider variety of skills and experiences into the industry so that we can make sure our highways are suitable for use by everyone.

I hope to progress my career with the aim to become a Principal Engineer, managing my own team of engineers.

How will your apprenticeship help you achieve this?

During my apprenticeship, I have had a wide range of opportunities given to me, both in terms of civil engineering experience, but also being part of the Diversity & Inclusion group for the company, helping to shape the processes and culture of Milestone. The wealth of knowledge my senior colleagues have has been a massive help, not only technical knowledge, but also showing me how to lead teams effectively, how to deal with high-stress situations and work with the client to resolve issues. Learning these skills alongside studying for my degree has allowed me to develop as person and an engineer, which means I can progress towards my goal of becoming a Principal Engineer.

What advice would you give a young person who might be thinking about an apprenticeship?

Doing an apprenticeship will give you invaluable skills that you won’t get from studying a degree alone. It can be tough at times to balance work and studying, but as long as you ask for the support you need, you will be able to succeed. Being an apprentice is very different to being a full-time undergraduate, as you don’t get the social life of a student, but if you are keen to learn new skills and kickstart your career, then an apprenticeship is the way to go.

What’s your top tip?

Be organised! Organisation is the key to having the right work-life balance.

How do you feel about becoming an Apprenticeship Ambassador?

I really enjoy helping others and guiding them, so am very excited to be an Apprenticeship Ambassador. I already help to run the Careers Fair event in Milestone and would like to share my experiences with a wider audience. During my time at school, I was never shown the option to do an apprenticeship and don’t want others to miss out on such great opportunities!

Meet the Ambassadors

Discover all the profiles of our apprenticeship ambassadors, who help raise awareness of the benefits of Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships Ambassadors