---
title: Racheal Ngoka
url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/racheal-ngoka/"
type: page
date_published: 2025-07-30
date_modified: 2025-08-07
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language: en-GB
word_count: 1431
reading_time: 8 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/racheal-ngoka/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg"
---

# Racheal Ngoka

![Racheal Ngoka](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg)

![Profile page - racheal-ngoka-career-profile-picture](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/racheal-ngoka-career-profile-picture.jpg)

**Role**: Project Manager Level 4 Apprentice

**Career Area**: Project and Commercial Management

**Current Study Level**: Level 4 Apprenticeship

**Location**: York

###### My role at SYSTRA

As an apprentice on the PlanBEE Rail scheme, I work on the TRU East E234
programme from York to Leeds. I assume a support role for the team while taking
on some management responsibilities in the E1 project.

My daily tasks range from updating various spreadsheets to communicating with
discipline leads to get updates on planned activities. I identify bottlenecks
and help facilitate resolutions. I also respond to correspondence and attend
meetings, ensuring I follow through on actions. In addition, I have been
involved in managing change and organising site visits.

Alongside others in my team, our goal is to ensure the programme stays on track
and is compliant with processes and standards.

###### Why I chose an apprenticeship

I chose an apprenticeship because I felt it was the most accessible pathway into
the UK labour market, as I am an immigrant. At the time, I did not have work
experience in the UK and it made job hunting quite challenging. The contents of
the apprenticeship also seemed really interesting to me.

I hold a degree in Mass Communication, and I have previously worked as a
Customer Relations Officer in a bank, where I resolved issues, managed
emergencies and built customer relationships.

My interest in Project Management grew after a friend introduced me to the
field. I went on to complete training in project management and business
analysis, including a placement with a digital consulting firm where I shadowed
a PM and supported the team with non-critical but relevant tasks. My desire to
become a Project Manager strengthened after I helped deliver some new
recruitment software for an agency. I enjoyed the challenging yet rewarding
nature of the role and its alignment with my people-centred background and
transferrable skills.

As part of the PlanBEE Rail apprenticeship scheme, I benefit from rotating
through different consortium organisations for six-month placements while
studying for a Level 4 qualification in Project Management. I was really pleased
to be assigned to SYSTRA in the second half of my first year to gain hands-on
experience.

###### We asked Racheal…

###### 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.

[> View all ](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/)

[Learn more about apprenticeships](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships/)