Civil Engineering firm celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with first apprentices in nearly four decades

SEP Engineers, a well-established civil engineering company with almost forty years of trading history, is proudly supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) by welcoming its first formal apprentices in nearly four decades.

National Apprenticeship Week, now in its 19th year, celebrates the vital role apprenticeships and skills training play in creating rewarding careers, building future-ready workforces, and addressing key skills shortages.

This year’s theme, ‘Skills for Life – it all starts with skills’, strongly reflects SEP Engineers’ long-standing commitment to developing young talent within the civil engineering sector.

On 19 January 2026, SEP Engineers welcomed two Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician Apprentices, Omar Stunell and Bradley Birch. Over the next two years, Omar and Bradley will combine hands‑on site experience with academic study, working under the guidance of an experienced Site Engineer. Their apprenticeship includes:

• Supporting basic setting‑out activities
• Assisting with surveying tasks
• Gaining practical, site‑based engineering experience

Alongside their on‑site learning, both apprentices are studying for a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering at the North‑West Construction Technical Excellence Centre at Wigan & Leigh College, attending on a day‑release basis.

This structured blend of real‑world practice and formal education ensures they develop the technical skills, confidence and professionalism needed for long‑term careers in civil engineering.

Building on a Strong Foundation of T Level Achievement

National Apprenticeship Week also celebrates T-Level Thursday, a chance to highlight these innovative qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds. Broadly equivalent to three A Levels, T Levels focus on technical and vocational skills and include at least forty-five days of valuable industry placement.

SEP Engineers continues to champion T Levels as a powerful route into the industry. The company currently supports Zak Lloyd, who is completing his T Level industry placement on live projects, gaining valuable real-world experience alongside the engineering team.

A standout example of the programme’s impact is Joel Morris, who joined SEP Engineers in June 2024 after completing his T Level placement earlier that year. Within just eighteen months, Joel has progressed to operating independently as a Junior Engineer, delivering all setting‑out and quality assurance checks on a multi‑million‑pound housing development.

His rapid development demonstrates how T Levels can fast‑track talented young people into skilled, meaningful roles.

Luke Nixon, director of SEP Engineers, said: "National Apprenticeship Week is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible value that apprenticeships and skills training bring to both young people and businesses.

"Many local businesses, including SEP Engineers, are embracing apprenticeships and T Levels as a great way to bring in new ideas and the latest skills, and a new way to find, nurture and secure young talent.

"After almost forty years of trading, taking on our first formal apprentices feels like the natural next step. We're not just filling skills gaps, we're investing in the future of our industry and our community, and the success we've already seen with our T Level programme proves that this investment pays dividends."

Investing in Skills, Community and the Future

Statistics from the Department of Education (October 2024) highlight the value of apprenticeships:

• 83 per cent of employers report satisfaction with their apprenticeship programmes
• 77 per cent see improved productivity
• 94 per cent of apprentices progress into work or further training after completion

For SEP Engineers, the benefits extend beyond just workforce development. Apprenticeships and T Levels help address local skills shortages, support young people into high‑quality careers and give existing staff opportunities to develop mentoring and leadership skills.

As SEP Engineers celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2026, the company remains committed to supporting the next generation of civil engineering professionals.

By working closely with local colleges and training providers, SEP continues to provide young people with the practical experience, guidance and opportunities they need to build successful, rewarding careers.

https://www.sepengineers.co.uk/