Why did you choose to become a civil engineer?

After my A Levels, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do, so I took a job in recruitment, focusing on placing highway engineers. Over two years, I had talked with a lot of people within the highways industry and I thought the job sounded interesting. Having spoken with a lot of companies as well, I got a good feel for those with good reputations, which is why I applied for an apprenticeship with WSP.

What’s your experience of being an apprentice?

Being an apprentice, particularly with WSP, has been different to what I'd expected. I thought I'd be at the bottom of the pile. I knew I'd get the training, but I figured there’d be an element of "Can you make some tea?"

But from day one, I've had a lot of support, and I’ve been treated as an ordinary member of the team rather than "just an apprentice". I've been given a lot of responsibility. People have put a lot of trust in me and made it a really open environment. I've never been afraid to ask questions and it's really helped me to utilise my strengths.

My most memorable lesson in safety

Working on projects, we take every step we can to reduce any risk or try and foresee any hazards. Out on site, our right to withdraw is one thing that is particularly emphasised. If you feel unsafe or can't do the work safely, no one is going to question your decision. That's a powerful message and it empowers everyone to be confident in making those decisions.

I was out with a colleague inspecting a barrier at the side of the road. We'd done our risk assessment, but the route that we’d planned to take was extremely overgrown and the only option to assess the barrier was to climb over the other side of it, which would've put us between the barrier and the live traffic. At that point, I exercised my right to withdraw. We headed back to the office and came up with an alternative route to the barrier. We returned a week later and took an alternative route, which meant we didn't have to climb over the barrier.

What it feels to be nominated as CIHT Apprentice of the Year

Absolutely brilliant. I go to university one day a week with other apprentices, so I know there's a lot of great people out there doing excellent things. To be shortlisted is an honour, because it gives you that sense of accomplishment.

What does your line manager think about the lesson? [We put this Q to his line manager, Sam Robinson]

I'm the colleague Sam mentioned. Working practices when I started were very different from now, so it’s good to have someone with you that says, "Don't walk on that tiny little verge." It was absolutely the right decision. Sam is incredibly responsible and really professional, so his Apprentice of the Year nomination is no surprise. He's got so much potential. He's really self-motivated and driven. Being his manager is, frankly, terrifying, because I think he's going to be my boss at some point relatively soon!

Sam Lovett and Sam Robinson were in conversation with Craig Thomas

The winner of the CIHT Apprentice of the Year will be announced at next week’s Young Professional Summit. See here for more details.