What I do

I ensure all concrete, aggregates and asphalts are tested to make sure they’re fit for purpose and in line with the required standards. As well as running checks on materials, I’m responsible for calibrating machines and analysing statistics. A lot of the work is on-site.

Hear more about Thomas's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

After I did my A-levels, I wanted to get some work experience and be paid to get a qualification and I found this role as an apprentice Construction Materials Technician. There are also degree level apprenticeships that I hope I can do at some point (you can get a degree without getting the student debt and you get paid).

My geography GCSE and A-level help me with the statistical data side of the job, which is about monitoring standards and is a bit more technical. Having joined this industry, I definitely want to stay in construction because the day goes by really quickly and you’re on-site quite a lot.

A typical day
in my working life

In the morning I’ll do laboratory testing, maybe crushing concrete cubes and I might sort out aggregate testing. I’ll make phone calls to see what needs to be tested on-site – this could be concrete, a plate test or testing the ground. We do loads of different tests. Typically, we do concrete pour testing as it goes in and spot checking. You have to communicate with a lot of different people on-site and you get exposed to a lot of the business. I would say my job is about 30% in the office and 70% on site.

Thomas washing out concrete from buckets

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

Being able to go on-site and be exposed to different parts of the business - you get a taste of everything. My favourite thing is probably going on-site to deliver information to Engineers and supervisors, to let them know if things have passed or not. You are really important and valued on-site and everyone asks you for information. Having that responsibility is great.

The best bits about working in a team

There are four people in our team. I like the fact that it’s not massive and we are like a little family. We can rely on each other, and you are never working alone, you always get a helping hand. My teammate Billy has recently finished his apprenticeship, and he has shown me lots of things - he is always sharing the techniques he’s learned. Another one of our team is a graduate and so I can teach him things.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

One thing has been the Balfour Beatty Brathay Challenge. It is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but it promotes apprenticeships. You go to the Lake District to do a challenge and team-building exercises. They do it for all apprentices in their second year and it is great fun.

The next steps in my career journey

I don’t have a specific target, but I would like to get into Civil Engineering and get involved in design. I can access lots of different areas of the business in the role I’m in, so there are a lot of opportunities. I do want to progress and become more senior, so I’d love to be a Civil Engineer in five years. I have a lot of technical knowledge that graduates don’t really have, so I think I am a step ahead.

Find out more about this role

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.

Nine apprentices sitting on sofas socialising

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