The broad purpose of the occupation is coordinate, manage and provide the technical planning, design, building, management, maintenance or dismantling of the built environment (such as buildings, structures, parks and public spaces, schools, offices, museums, hospitals) and infrastructure, such as transportation (road, rail, bridges, tunnels, ports and airports), water and waste management, marine and coastal engineering (irrigation systems, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), flood, river and coastal defences), water and power supplies (utilities, hydropower, power stations, nuclear plants, on and offshore wind farms).
Civil engineering senior technicians use and apply their technical knowledge, underpinned by scientific principles and theories, propose numerous suitable techniques, procedures and methods to undertake and deliver civil engineering solutions. They need to source, review, analyse and evaluate a range of data and information, perform advanced calculations, and analyse civil engineering problems to reach proven solutions.
Senior technicians prepare, produce and present civil engineering information, designs and documentation, with regard for the practical need to deliver, manage, assess and improve civil engineering solutions to relevant codes of practice and industry standards (for example, Construction Design and Management (CDM), the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), or managing information over the whole life cycle of a built asset using Building Information Modelling (BIM) via ISO 19650), to statutory and regulatory requirements (such as the Building Safety Act), and in compliance with health, safety and wellbeing requirements.
They use appropriate analytical and computational software, including engineering analysis software (for example, CAD) or digital data modelling processes, to prepare, produce, and communicate civil engineering solutions, recognising the limitations of the techniques and outputs produced, and where continuous improvement may be useful. Some senior technicians will also select appropriate materials and perform tests on these.
Duration for this program is 2 years.
You will complete a project and write a report. You will be asked to complete a project. The EPAO will give you suggested project titles. The report should be a maximum of 3500 words (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 6 weeks to complete the project and submit the report to the EPAO.
You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 30 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 40 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
For further information or to apply please contact the Apprenticeship Team on 020 7258 5658 or email apprenticeships@cwc.ac.uk
To enter a Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician apprenticeship, you typically need a combination of GCSEs and a relevant Level 3 qualification. While specific requirements are set by individual employers and training providers, the following are standard benchmarks:
GCSEs: Most providers require at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A–C)*, including English and Maths. Some employers may specifically require a higher grade (e.g., grade 6) in Maths.
Level 3 Qualifications: You generally need one of the following:
A-Levels: Usually 1 or 2 A-Levels, often including Maths or Physics. Some major employers look for up to 3 A-Levels at grades ABB (128 UCAS points).
BTEC: A BTEC National Diploma or Extended Diploma in a relevant subject like Construction and the Built Environment or Civil Engineering (typically at Merit/Distinction level).
T-Levels: A T-Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing (often requiring a Distinction).
Advanced Apprenticeship: Completion of a Level 3 apprenticeship in a related field.
Job Role: You must be employed in a relevant role with a civil engineering company for at least 30 hours per week.
Age and Residency: You must be aged 16 or over and have the right to work in the UK.
Mature Applicants: Adults (19+) with relevant industry experience may be accepted even if they don't meet all formal academic criteria, often subject to an assessment or interview.
Employers often look for specific soft skills and technical aptitudes, including:
Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20
If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn.
Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study. Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.
For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.
If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.
You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.
It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.
Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.
You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:
All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.
Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list. You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.The Education Funding Authority has allocated money to colleges to support students who are on low incomes or the dependent of parents on a low income, and need support towards their course-related costs or essential living costs or are facing financial difficulty.
For further information click here.
For further information on financial support for Looked after Children, Care Leavers and estranged young people, click here.