Racheal Ngoka

How have your technical skills developed throughout your apprenticeship?

Over the past few months, my technical skills have definitely improved through my involvement in the programme. I have gained a deeper understanding of various aspects of rail projects, industry terminology, and the use of different project management tools. This includes Excel spreadsheets and trackers for updates and reporting, ProjectWise for document management, and SharePoint for sharing and gathering information. Participating in meetings has enhanced my knowledge of industry standards and processes for project control, quality and benefit realisation.

How have you grown personally through doing an apprenticeship?

I have gained confidence in my ability to sit in meetings, provide updates and take actions, while also following through on them. I feel very comfortable unearthing blockers and facilitating resolutions. My communication skills, and ability to use technical terms to convey information, have also improved. I no longer feel nervous when speaking to colleagues at all levels.

I have taken on the responsibility of coordinating site visits and ensuring all paperwork is completed in line with business safety standard, which is definitely a reflection of my growth in confidence. So far, I have been on site twice with the design team and hope to organise more site visits before I leave SYSTRA.

My apprenticeship experience has made me a better team member, whilst also giving me confidence in other areas of my life. I plan to keep building on these skills by taking on more challenging assignments and continuing to learn from colleagues and mentors.

What advice would you offer to someone who’s unsure if an apprenticeship is right for them?

Firstly, I would recommend researching the different programmes available, attend job fairs, and ask questions about each programme. 

If possible, try to speak to current apprentices, graduates or even managers to hear about their experiences and what they have gained from doing an apprenticeship. This approach will help you make an informed decision on whether an apprenticeship is right for you or not. It’s also important to consider your own learning style and career ambitions, as these should guide your choice. 

An apprenticeship provides a range of benefits – you will gain useful experience that will help you further your career. On top of that, you get paid, obtain a qualification and get to explore your interests and strengths. You also get the opportunity to discover different areas of the programme to find a niche that suits your career goals. 

However, be aware that apprenticeships require you to commit time and effort, and you must have a willingness to learn and adapt.

How does SYSTRA stand out as a great place to work?

SYSTRA stands out as a great place to work because of its global presence, allowing colleagues to work with people around the world on some major transport and infrastructure projects. The company’s workforce has a good mix of employees from different cultural backgrounds, demonstrating its genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

The company also invests in employee growth by offering training opportunities to grow technical, leadership and soft skills. Mentoring is a big focus at SYSTRA – early careers colleagues have access to experienced mentors to support their personal and professional development. SYSTRA’s involvement with the PlanBEE Rail apprenticeship scheme is a perfect example of their commitment to learning and development, and providing opportunities for people to get into the industry.

What’s your favourite thing about your job right now?

What I appreciate most is the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues around the business. I really enjoy the collaborative environment within my team, where ideas are acknowledged and efforts are genuinely appreciated.

Diversity is powerful. What unique perspective do you offer as an apprentice?

Having undertaken my Mass Communication degree and through working in different environments, I understand the importance of acknowledging diverse opinions and building relationships. I always aim to help foster an inclusive, collaborative environment within my team, and personally feel comfortable contributing or asking questions myself when I need clarity. 

My eagerness to learn and motivation to seek out extra tasks as an early careers professional also broadens my horizons and perspective.

What would an entirely green future look like? How should our industry contribute?

An entirely green future for me would mean a transition to a circular economy, where human activities produce minimal carbon emissions and waste to the environment by integrating the principle of reuse and recycle in the production or use of materials. 

In this future, the transport industry would play a vital role by committing to sustainability goals. This can be achieved by setting carbon emission targets in the design, construction, operations and maintenance of mobility solutions and infrastructure using eco-friendly materials. 

The industry must foster collaboration across sectors to drive eco-friendly innovations, encourage behavioural change, and support social inclusion. 

Through these efforts, our industry can make significant contribution to a fully green future.

You can spend your lunchbreak with anyone you admire – who would you choose?

I would choose Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the current Director General of the World Trade Organization. She is the first woman, and first African, to hold this position. She is a global leader – recognised for promoting economic development, improving transparency in public finances and leading efforts to resolve global health challenges. She is truly a role model for me – spending time with her would help me gain insight into what her motivations are. I aspire to make an impactful difference in my own career, just as she has done.

What is your next big career goal?

My next big career goal is to lead and successfully deliver major transport projects. To achieve this, I plan to continually seek more challenging opportunities that will deepen my technical and leadership skills. This will also enable me to make meaningful contributions to ongoing projects within my placement organisation.

What excites you about your career future?

What excites me is the opportunity to lead innovative sustainable mobility and green infrastructure projects in the future, contributing to the improvement of our communities and the reduction of environmental impact.