Nathan Kent - Cambridgeshire County Council

NAW Case Study

I am a Design Technician employed by Cambridgeshire County Council within the Highways & Transport sector. My role focuses on drafting plans for highway maintenance and improvement projects using AutoCAD, as well as visiting sites to liaise with contractors, to take measurements, and identify extents. I also cost projects and populate risk assessments to form a complete works information pack.

Before starting my apprenticeship, I didn’t have a defined career path, joining Cambridgeshire County Council as a Technician Apprentice in September 2023 kick-started my career in Civil Engineering. As an apprentice, I had the opportunity to design and project manage my own maintenance scheme, which was an incredible experience in terms of responsibility very early on. I progressed into the Design Technician role in July 2024 and now have a clear path for future progression in both my role and education. I am currently leading on the investigation works for next year’s carriageway and footway maintenance programme which has been great for my development.

My tutor has played a significant role in my learning so far. He consistently brings his extensive industry experience and knowledge into lessons, making the lesson content relatable and engaging. Lessons are a ‘safe space’ where there are no such things as ‘stupid questions’, which makes it easy to feel confident in applying what I have learned.

I am enjoying the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship versus going to university. A huge positive of apprenticeships is that you can ‘earn while you learn’ and gain valuable work experience. While apprenticeships do take longer to complete than a university degree, by the time I am fully qualified, I will have years of experience under my belt, which will in turn make me a more employable individual than graduates of whom may not have any practical experience.

Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to gain a qualification whilst working in your chosen field, all the while avoiding any student debt. You can build a professional network, develop yourself, and become a highly sought after individual. It’s a brilliant way to secure a career.

I believe more employers should consider offering apprenticeship programmes for recruitment purposes. Apprenticeships allow employers to observe how an individual works, assess the areas where development is needed, and shape the individual to meet the organisation’s needs. It’s a fantastic way to obtain skilled, loyal employees.