---
title: "Apprenticeships – the key to professional and personal growth"
url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/apprenticeships-the-key-to-professional-and-personal-growth/"
type: expert_insights
date_published: 2025-02-07
date_modified: 2025-02-07
schema:
  @type: WebPage
language: en-GB
word_count: 1404
reading_time: 8 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/apprenticeships-the-key-to-professional-and-personal-growth/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/career-development-concept-used-for-apprenticeships-the-key-to-professional-and-personal-growth-insight.png"
type-insight:
  - Careers
---

# Apprenticeships – the key to professional and personal growth

![Career development conceptual image - woman walks up red step in the shape of an arrow. She is illustrating career development related sketches on the wall.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/career-development-concept-used-for-apprenticeships-the-key-to-professional-and-personal-growth-insight.png)

**In the UK, [statistics show](https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships) a 0.7% increase in those starting apprenticeships in the 2023/24 academic year compared to the year before, and more significantly an increase of 8.2% for higher apprenticeships. With apprenticeships increasing in popularity, Senior Early Careers Talent Advisor, Annabel Snowden, explores the value of this pathway and shares her inside take on the esteemed apprenticeship experience at SYSTRA. **

Why are so many people now choosing to undertake apprenticeships?

It’s no secret that apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain on-the-job
practical experience and job-specific skills alongside industry qualifications.
But, there’s a lot more to the pathway, and many reasons why they’re such an
excellent way of learning and beginning a career.

Within my role I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact apprenticeships can have on
the confidence and adaptability of
[early careers](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/) professionals.
I’ve watched many of the apprentices at SYSTRA build and excel in the
development of soft skills like communication, teamwork and leadership. Within
the engineering and consultancy industry in particular, effective collaboration
and problem-solving is fundamental, so the fast growth of these interpersonal
skills is really important.

![Quote graphic that reads "I have become a lot more confident through my apprenticeship due to collaborating and working with people from various disciplines and studying at university. I have been given opportunities where I have been able to step out of my comfort zone which has helped my confidence massively." Underneath the quote it says 'Sahina Sameerah, Technician Degree Apprentice. The text is white and is inside a navy blue box. On the right-hand side is a headshot photo of Sahina smiling. The background is a red and purple gradient.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/sahina-sameerah-naw-2025-insight-using-1024x576.png)

Many university courses offer and encourage work placement initiatives. There’s
nothing quite like getting stuck into the realities of an industry, making a
real-world impact, and finding your feet amongst other professionals at a
variety of career stages. Apprenticeships take this a step further. Apprentices
can build an invaluable network of professional contacts and mentors before
they’ve completed their studies. Colleagues can support them, be honest about
workplace expectations and standards, and share years of industry experience and
lessons learned. In-turn, experienced professionals often value working
alongside apprentices who bring fresh, new, innovative ideas to the table. This
knowledge sharing and ingenuity is crucial within our industry. 

![A photo of 2 SYSTRA colleagues talking in a SYSTRA office. They are both facing a computer screen, and one of them is pointing at it and smiling.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/using-birminghamoffice-systra-12jun2023-decoymedia-42-1024x683.jpg)

It can be a struggle to transition between full-time study and full-time work
life. Sometimes the realities of an industry can be unexpected, the style of
working environment may not be a good fit, in fact a dream career could even
come into question. Apprentices avoid this confusion, often taking the
opportunity to rotate disciplines within an industry and chat to colleagues
about what really suits them, all before they’re fully left the structure of
education.

And, apprenticeships aren’t just for those kickstarting their working lives.
They’re also an excellent option for career changers looking to explore a new
field without the financial worries which may come from full-time study.

### Apprenticeships at SYSTRA

We understand recruiting and retaining the most talented people is a vital part
of delivering on our reputation for excellence and innovation across our markets
and services. As such, every year we strive to take on apprentices across the
majority of our key disciplines.

![Quote graphic that reads "Throughout my apprenticeship my line manager has been very supportive with work and study. My team have also been very accommodating - there are many people I can go to if I have any questions... I also think having a ‘buddy’ has been very helpful, especially during the early stages of my apprenticeship." Underneath the quote it says 'Gracie Belwood, Transport Planner Level 3 Apprentice. The text is white and is inside a purple box. On the left-hand side is a headshot photo of Gracie smiling. The background is a red and purple gradient.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/gracie-belwood-naw-2025-insight-using-1024x576.png)

In engineering, our apprentices get to work on
[conventional](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/rail/) or
[high-speed rail](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/high-speed-rail/)
projects; [light rail](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/light-rail/),
underground or [metro](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/metro/)
projects;
[bridges](https://www.systra.com/uk/services/infrastructure-engineering/bridge-and-viaduct-engineering-design/)
and
[highways](https://www.systra.com/uk/services/infrastructure-engineering/highways-road-design-and-engineering/)
infrastructure; [energy](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/energy/); security;
or built environment developments. And in consultancy, there’s plenty of
opportunities in
[urban](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/cities-urban-mobility/) and railway
transportation, civil infrastructure, buildings, and urban and regional planning
projects for public or private-sector clients.

This variety is fundamental and inherent to our apprenticeship programmes, but
it’s really the apprentice experience that matters to us the most. We want our
apprentices to be with us in the long-term, so our apprenticeship offering
reflects this value. My team works hard to ensure the business offers meaningful
career pathways, with real development, growth and high-profile project
opportunities, based on performance and skills. We’re all about inspiring the
next generation of professionals, budding innovators and thought leaders.

You can hear directly from our apprentices on their career journeys and time at
SYSTRA in our
[early careers profiles](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/)
.

![Quote graphic that reads "SYSTRA has a real interest in staff progressing in their careers, and the opportunities offered to you are endless. As an apprentice I am surrounded by inspiring colleagues who are great role models. SYSTRA offers a dynamic, inclusive and empowering environment where employees can thrive professionally, contribute meaningfully to projects, and be part of a global network." Underneath the quote it says 'Katie Wickham-Harrison, Senior Technician Level Crossings Degree Apprentice / HS2 Assurance Co-ordinator. The text is white and is inside a red box. On the right-hand side is a headshot photo of Katie smiling. The background is a red and purple gradient.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/katie-wickham-harrison-naw-2025-insight-using-1024x576.png)

We offer two apprenticeship paths, both of which allow for 20% learning time and
80% on-the-job experience: 

- Level 3 Digital Engineering Apprenticeship – a 3-year programme that provides
  a broad introduction to digital engineering in the first year, after which our
  apprentices select a technical pathway. 
- Level 4 Apprenticeship / Degree Apprenticeship – a 5-year programme in various
  disciplines, resulting in a degree qualification. 

[Find out more about our apprenticeships and view our current opportunities here](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships/)
.

### There’s a pathway for everyone at SYSTRA

At SYSTRA we welcome a diverse range of talent, from all academic backgrounds –
that’s exactly what makes our business so forward-thinking, pioneering and
successful. Our apprentices are one of the crucial pieces that helps form who we
are. 

We know we have just as much to learn from the fresh perspectives of our
apprentices and other early careers colleagues, as they do from our more
experienced industry professionals. 

Together, we will continue to learn, grow, innovate and thrive. 

[Find out all there is to know on apprenticeships at SYSTRA](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships/)
. 

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