IS THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT A CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU?

One of the biggest growth sectors across the Liverpool City Region is the built environment. ‘What’s that?’ I hear you ask.

The built environment describes where we live and how we live. It’s all about how we shape where we live and make it functional and beautiful. It’s not just about construction, it’s about regenerating buildings, neighbourhoods and communities across the Liverpool City Region. In essence it’s about building the homes and workplaces of the future using latest technology with an eye on the environment. Building in things like air source heat pumps, better insulation and solar power to help combat climate change.

So, now we know what the built environment is, how big is this growth sector? Why should you be interested? Well, over the next ten years in the UK there will be £600 billion spent on infrastructure. That means large numbers of high skilled, well paid jobs, with the opportunity to shape how we live, work and connect over the coming decades. That’s great news, but you’ll need to know how to begin getting one of these high skilled jobs. You could go to university and study a built environment related degree. The University of Liverpool’s Architecture, Building and planning Faculty offer thirteen degree courses from Architectural Engineering to Urban planning.

The other route to a great career in the built environment is to look for an apprenticeship. It’s worth considering some of the heavy weight companies in the industry as they will give you a larger variety of career prospects. They also have annual apprenticeship recruitment campaigns. Let’s take a look at one of the most respected companies in the industry: Arup.

Every year Arup take on around 70 Apprentices across the UK. They specialise in providing solutions across every aspect of the built environment and they’re very good at it. They are an independent firm of designers, engineers, planners, business consultants and technical specialists. If you get excited about taking on complex challenges, turning ideas into tangible solutions then they want to talk to you about the apprenticeships they have on offer.

They take on a wide range of apprentices. In the Liverpool City Region specifically these include: Building services; Business and admin; Civil engineering; Mechanical / Electrical / Public Health engineering; Digital consulting and Structural engineering. Their apprenticeships provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workplace and qualifications designed to support your career ambitions. No wonder they feature regularly as one of the top UK employers of Apprentices.

Arup is a prestigious multinational company that can boast working on a wide range of iconic buildings across the globe. The V&A Dundee, Sydney Opera House and Beijing National Stadium are just some that have benefitted from Arup’s experienced and bright minds who delivered innovative and sustainable designs. Arup’s core focus across their international operations is to ‘shape a better world.’

They recognise that it’s their people that bring the magic, the creative force that delivers new and innovative ways to transform the built environment. Living facades filled with micro algae, to generate biomass and heat for buildings, through to an art pavilion that can be dismantled and assembled in three weeks are just two examples of Arup’s diverse projects.

So how do you get an apprenticeship with Arup? Apprentices often join Arup at an early stage of their career which allows the company to grow and develop their own in-house talent. They are looking to develop a highly skilled and enthusiastic workforce for future company growth. Their application process begins when you find an apprenticeship on their website that you are interested in. When you click the apply button there will be a number of quick questions to answer before you are invited to create an account. You’ll then complete an online application form.

Following this there is, what they call, a strength-based exercise and shortlisting by a hiring manager. If you are shortlisted successfully it’s on to an online assessment centre. This is split into 2 sessions including a group activity and an interview. Assessment centres may vary depending on the role. You’ll be given more information about this in your invite. In addition to meeting the hiring team and recent apprentices, you’ll meet with a member of the Early Careers Team to discuss learning, development, rewards and benefits.

If you become an Arup apprentice, you’ll have a strong network of friendly, experienced Apprentices and Graduates who will help you settle in. You’ll also be invited to attend a Welcome Event to meet other Apprentices from across the firm. All their apprenticeships are fulltime permanent positions. There is a 6 months’ probation period which they will ensure you have the skills and support needed to pass.

Arup’s annual apprenticeship programme opens for applications each November, so look out for it.

They are advertised on Arup’s careers page or you can email arupapprenticesukmea@arup.com to find out more.