Industrial training placement to employee

Upon joining the business for a year-long placement in 2022, he spent time with our Bath & North East Somerset and Medway contracts, where he quickly became a part of the team. After completing the placement, VolkerHighways saw Matt’s potential and sponsored his final two years at University. Matt subsequently returned to the business during his summer breaks. 

Upon finishing his degree and achieving a fantastic 2:1, Matt has now returned in a full time and permanent position as a Graduate Engineer.

Here’s his story on how he found VolkerHighways and his story of becoming a full-time member of our team.

How did you get your placement with VolkerHighways? 

During my research when applying for placements, VolkerHighways’ social value portal, Thrive, was one of the results during a search on the internet. I researched the company to get an understanding of who VolkerHighways is and the benefit they could bring to my studies, and I decided to complete the ‘sign up’ form.

Shortly afterwards, I was put in touch with my line manager, with whom I completed an interview with. I then started my year-long placement with VolkerHighways just a few months later. The entire process was very simple and easy for me to navigate. 

How did the previous placements with VolkerHighways help you with your degree? 

My degree had a significant focus on the design side of civil engineering. Completing placements in the contracting side of the industry helped to put the design work I was completing in my final years of university into perspective. This had the impact of enabling me to produce designs within my university projects which would be viable in the real world from a constructability perspective. 

What projects did you work on during your placements? 

I began my first, year-long placement being part of the site team in Bath & North East Somerset for the Keynsham High Street regeneration project. My role was to assist both the Site Agent and Site Supervisor. After six months working on the Keynsham scheme, I transferred to VolkerHighways’ Medway contract where I worked alongside the Senior Supervisor on various projects including footway and capital schemes. 

In the summer of the following year, I returned to the Medway contract and completed a shorter-term placement, again working alongside the Senior Supervisor on various projects. 

Why did you decide to come back to VolkerHighways in a permanent position? 

I decided to return to VolkerHighways primarily because I really enjoyed both of my placements with the company. I especially enjoy the challenges of highway work, including its frequent changes to programme, and so consequently, often never know exactly what I am going to be dealing with when I arrive at work each day. This makes the role very dynamic and self-fulfilling. 

What is your role and your responsibilities? 

I am a Graduate Engineer but, I am currently working as a Site Supervisor on a public realm scheme in Midsomer Norton Island in Bath. My responsibilities include daily progress records, completion of WIS sheets for completed elements of works and always ensuring that the worksite is in compliance with VolkerHighways’ health and safety policies, including related paperwork. 

Where are you based? 

Long term I am going to be part of the team on the Medway contract however, currently I am based at the Midsomer Norton Island regeneration scheme in Bath.

I am lucky to live close to the Medway contract and undertook my degree in Bath, allowing me to flit between the two contracts broadening my knowledge of different projects and teams.

Would you recommend doing a placement with VolkerHighways? 

Absolutely, yes. Completing a contracting placement with VolkerHighways really opened my eyes into how the whole engineering industry works as my studies at university only really covered the design side. This led to me having a much broader knowledge base at the end of my degree which I can now build upon going forward. 

Interested in doing a placement and/or work experience with VolkerHighways – apply here.