Tochi Ibeh, Civil Engineering Technician

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What I do

I’m a civil engineering technician working for National Highways.

I help look after three huge bridges in the south-west – the Severn Bridge, the Prince of Wales Bridge and the Avonmouth Bridge.

I spend my time helping to plan repairs, checking defects and learning how to keep these massive structures safe.

Every day is different because each bridge has its own problems and challenges.

Civil Engineering Technician Tochi, wearing a full hi-vis outfit, protective gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat, smiling and posing on top of the River Severn Suspension Bridge, with cars driving over the bridge below.

How I became a technician

When I was at school, I chose history and design and technology for my GCSE options because I liked creative subjects and making things. We also had to choose a language and religious studies because it was a Christian school.

After GCSEs, I went to sixth form at a UTC (university technical college), which is is a school for students aged 14–19 where you can do the normal GCSEs and A-levels, plus subjects like engineering, health sciences or digital technology.

How I became a technician

I studied maths, physics and Level 3 BTEC engineering. I also did an EPQ, which is called an extended project qualification.

I chose to research how music can affect the mental health of young people. It was great to have the opportunity to focus on something different, which I really care about.

How I became a technician

I learnt loads of practical skills at the UTC. I used advanced software like Solidworks and learnt to use machinery like milling machines and lathes.

It was a shock at first because the other students had joined the school earlier, so they already knew how to use everything. I had to work hard to catch up, but it showed me that engineering was right for me.

How I became a technician

When I finished sixth form, I joined National Highways on a Level 4 civil engineering apprenticeship. At first, my parents didn’t understand apprenticeships and wanted me to follow the traditional route of going to university.

In my culture (I’m Nigerian), that is seen as a sign of success, but once my school explained how apprenticeships work with studying and working at the same time, they supported me. Now my mum tells everyone how great they are!

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A typical day in my working life

I work across all three bridges, but most days start in the office in Bristol. I usually arrive around 7:30am because our team likes early starts and early finishes.

I log in, check the system we use to manage our projects and see how all the jobs on the bridges are progressing.

A typical day in my working life

During the day, I speak to lots of different people.

I might talk to contractors who are doing repairs, or meet with colleagues to discuss budgets, defects or upcoming work.

A typical day in my working life

Some days I go out onto the bridges themselves. I measure things like cracks or damaged expansion joints, take photos and make sure the repairs match what we planned.

I finish at around 3:30pm, which gives me a nice amount of time in the afternoon.

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Civil Engineering Technician Tochi, wearing a fleece, sat at his desk, working on his computer.

What I love about my job

I love that I work on three massive bridges that are completely different from each other.

People think working on the same three structures might get boring, but it’s the opposite. Each bridge has its own problems, materials and history, so I’m always learning something new.

I’m also surrounded by a really supportive team. Everyone has loads of experience and knows the bridges inside out.

When I hear them talk about defects, they instantly know what needs to be done, and I find that really inspiring.

The skills I use most

Organisation and time management are really important. I deal with budgets, deadlines and lots of documents, so everything needs to be recorded properly and in the right place.

Problem solving is a huge part of the job too because every defect is like a puzzle.

Communication is key because nothing gets done alone. I spend a lot of time talking to contractors, managers and other engineers.

Basic IT skills help as well – Microsoft is basically my life now, me and Microsoft are like 5 and 6 – we work together all day!

A lot of people think bridges just sit there and don’t change, but they’re much more alive than people think.

Your career is your own. If you know what you want, stick with it and don’t be scared if things look complicated at first.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

My team has about 14 people and we’re very close. We help each other out and share knowledge all the time. Everyone has years of experience with the bridges, so when I joined at 18 it felt like stepping into a world they already understood perfectly.

But they’ve always supported me, even when I’ve been thrown in the deep end. If someone’s on annual leave and a job comes up, I know I won’t be left on my own – the whole team works together.

My favourite piece of equipment

One of my favourite things to work with is the main cable gantry on the Severn Bridge. A gantry is a metal platform that lets you reach parts of the bridge you can’t get to normally.

The cables on the Severn Bridge are huge, and the gantry lets us inspect them safely. Using it means climbing, travelling up and down the structure and seeing the bridge from angles that most people never get to see. It makes the work feel exciting.

What I like to do in my spare time

After work, I usually head home or to the gym. I’m also involved with my church and help with the new believers' classes which have people of all ages in.

I also help with the aesthetics team, setting up decorations and helping with events like baptisms. I enjoy it as it gives me a whole community of people to be part of.

My school days

When I was younger, I loved dance, especially street dance and hip hop. I used to do flips, tricks and yes, I can of course do the worm!

I don’t do it anymore, but it was a huge part of my life in secondary school and something I really enjoyed.

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

One of my favourite projects was helping with the main cable gantries on the Severn Bridge. I had to travel back and forth between Bristol and the depot where the gantries are stored. I inspected them, collected information and learned a lot about how they work.

Out of all the projects I’ve done, that one felt the most exciting because it involved moving around, being hands on and seeing the bridges up close.

A surprising fact about my job

A lot of people think bridges just sit there and don’t change, but they move all the time. For example, an expansion joint lets a bridge stretch when it gets hot and shrink when it gets cold. Without these joints, the bridge would crack.

Working on bridges means understanding how weather, traffic and time affect them. They’re much more alive than people think.

The next steps in my career journey

I’ve finished my Level 4 apprenticeship and I’m now moving on to do a Level 6 degree apprenticeship.

Because I already have experience, I can skip the first part and join later in the course.

I’ll study while working full time, and it will help me become a fully qualified civil engineer.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Stay focused and trust the path that feels right. Sometimes I doubted myself and wondered if I should just go to university to make other people happy. But your career is your own.

If you know what you want, stick with it and don’t be scared if things look complicated at first. You learn your way through it.