As part of National Apprenticeship Week (8 – 12 Feb) we caught up with Kieran McAteer, the first apprentice we’ve welcomed into our team. He is currently studying a Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at Bristol UWE and is in first year of study.

Can you tell us about your background and how you came to work for Praeter?

I’ve always been interested in engineering, and nearly did Mech Eng in university but after a month’s placement I decided it wasn’t for me. I went on to work in construction for specialising in post-tensioning and later was offered a role here at Praeter Engineering with the opportunity for training and career progression. 

What projects are you involved with at the moment?

Currently I’m working on a post-tensioning multi-strand job in Vauxhall but over the past year I’ve been involved with remedial work and load cell installation on the Avonmouth Bridge, heavy lifting solutions at Hinkley Point C, crane grillages in Edinburgh and jacking 3 levels of a building up in London. So a varied mixed of projects which is furthering my learning as opposed to just doing a degree.

What does your current role involve?

My current role is a combination of on-site and off-site work, from carrying out post-tensioning installations to receiving and providing training. I’ve had the opportunity to refresh a lot of training with Praeter and gain extra training such as becoming a face fit tester.

Can you tell us a little about your course and the subjects you’ll be covering?

The course is BEng Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship and is being undertaken over 5 years. My next two modules are Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology & Design which I’m looking forward to. Next year the Application Of Mathematics is going to be a good test, I’ve blown the cobwebs off my A-level books from 10 years ago!

Obviously, times are a little different at the moment, how has your course adapted to make it covid safe?

Initially the classrooms were made Covid secure and the cohort was split so the tutor will have to repeat the lecture two or sometimes three times. With the emphasis currently back on “stay at home”, all lectures are being delivered online which I prefer for the flexibility it provides.

How are you finding splitting your time between studying and working?

I’m finding it well balanced, Praeter Engineering has provided me with more time than what is required for study, the design and management teams here have offered loads of support, especially with technical queries.