Listen to first-hand insights from our people.
Hear from our colleagues at Alan Wood & Partners to gain firsthand insights into life at the company.
Toni Clark
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Sheffield
I joined Alan Wood and Partners in Sheffield after working as a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer for a large design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy in Manchester.
My background is in Geology, having studied the subject at undergraduate level at the University of Derby, before completing my master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
AWP are currently supporting me through my chartership with the Geological Society of London, which I hope to attain later this year. This recognition will help me achieve my goal of moving into an Associate Role within our team in the coming years.
In my day-to-day role, typical tasks include organising site investigations, quoting for new jobs, analysing data, reporting on active projects, and interacting with clients. I also provide support to both the junior members of the team and senior management, helping with monthly invoicing and programming workload.
The assortment of projects was one of the things which attracted me to AWP, along with better career prospects. As a department, the projects we work on are very varied, not only in size but also by sector. The jobs I have worked on include small residential developments, supervising earthworks and ground remediation projects as well as large commercial and industrial developments.
I work not only within a very supportive team, but also in a supportive office. Working in a multi-disciplinary office enables me to see how the work I complete feeds into projects later down the line. Everyone is helpful, approachable, and most importantly sociable!
As an office, we make use of the company social fund: trying new places to eat and taking part in new activities. There are a number of company benefits that I have taken advantage of, including purchasing extra annual leave, flexible working hours and shopping discounts.
Some highlights of my career at AWP include:
Carrying out the ground investigation and acting as the client’s technical advisor during the earthworks for a £150m industrial development.
Providing support for an earthworks scheme for a residential development at multiple stages, including ground investigation, supervision of validation testing, production of verification reports, and liaison with the NHBC over the last five years.
My most recent highlight is progressing from Engineer to Principal Engineer, which I am very proud of.
Lisa Tallant
Structural Engineer
Hull
I studied Civil & Structural Engineering MEng at Sheffield University and graduated in 2017. I went on to work for a small firm in Macclesfield, Cheshire. The firm had four engineers and worked mostly on domestic jobs. I moved to East Yorkshire in December 2020 with the intention of finding a new job with more variety. I began working at AWP in January 2021 and have been here ever since.
I gained my integrated Master’s degree from Sheffield in 2017.
AWP have sponsored my Institute of Structural Engineering Chartership Exam Preparation course at Leeds Beckett, run by the Yorkshire & Humber branch of IStructE.
Throughout my ongoing route to chartership I received lots of support from senior members of the team who are always happy to help with the prep. Phil Edkins has acted as a mentor, proofreading and commenting on my Initial Professional Development forms. There is always a senior engineer, director or associate available to answer any queries I’ve had throughout the process.
The course ran one evening a week for 10 weeks and covered the important aspects of taking the IStructE Chartership Exam.
All done with studying!
My current role involves working on a wide range of projects across various sectors, including healthcare, education and industrial. On a daily basis, I undertake the design of steel, concrete and timber structures. On larger projects I work within a team of experienced technicians and manage the production of drawings. I am also lead point in design team meetings and manage both the invoicing and fee proposals for many of my projects. I alsoattend site on a regular basis to appraise the existing structure, assess construction progress and provide advice to clients.
When I moved to Hull, I interviewed at several local companies. At AWP the interview panel seemed very enthusiastic. I was interviewed by two directors, and they seemed very down-to-earth and relatable, which made me confident that it would be a workplace I would fit into. The firm works on such a variety of interesting projects, including modern methods of construction, so there is no chance of getting bored, as no two projects are the same.
Within the office, there is an atmosphere of support and learning. Occasionally, an engineer will have an obstacle within a project, and the whole team will work together, drawing on the variety of experience within the office to solve the problem. It’s during occasions like this that I feel I learn the most. We also have regular lunchtime Continuing Professional Development seminars.
I make the most of our flexible working, which allows me to leave at 3 pm on Fridays. This is great to make the most of the summer sun or when you’re heading off for a weekend away. We also have the option to purchase additional holidays, which allowed me to go for a longer trip to Japan in 2023.
I’ve found that management is very supportive of individual personal development. I’ve felt supported throughout my chartership. They’re also approachable and easy to speak to if you do have any issues or questions.
We have a social fund and committee that regularly arranges fully funded meals, bowling, and other activities. We also have a staff day at Beverley Races every summer, including all the offices, which is the highlight of the year!
The culture at AWP is extremely friendly, even across offices. If you need advice from one of the other teams based in a different office (civils, geo, surveying), there is always someone on the other end of the phone to answer your questions.
Most people work in the office on a day-to-day basis, which is really good for learning and collaborating, as well as the more social aspects. It’s very much a team atmosphere.
There are opportunities for volunteering/STEM outreach; we get two paid days to engage in STEM outreach in schools and work closely with the local technical college.
I am currently working towards my Chartership and the role of Senior Engineer. Support is always available if you ask for it. In every annual appraisal where I have asked for more responsibility, it has been given to me. I am currently running point on a £28m project which has been a very rewarding experience. I feel there is real opportunity for me to grow at AWP, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings.
I have really enjoyed helping to train new graduates and ensuring they feel confident in their own knowledge and know that there are no stupid questions.
Taking part in an Institution of Civil Engineering STEM Day at a local primary school, where we helped the students build a scale model of a Bailey Bridge, was a fantastic experience. This involved teaching the students about Bailey Bridges, simple skills, and teamwork.
Another standout experience was standing in the completed steel warehouse at one of my major projects for Stihl GB. There was something really rewarding about seeing the structure in real life, in three dimensions and not just photographs or on the computer model. It brought to a close over 18 months of hard work on the project.
Bradley Marshall
Civil and Structural Engineer
Scarborough
Whilst in the sixth form, I completed some work experience at AWP, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This experience gave me a real insight into the company. This opportunity was followed by a job offer upon completion of my studies, through AWP’s ‘Grow Your Own’ apprenticeship scheme, which I was delighted to accept.
At college, I achieved two Distinction Stars and a Distinction in Manufacturing & Automation Engineering. Following this, I started my apprenticeship at AWP, which included completing a Level 3 in Construction in the Built Environment at York College one day a week. This improved the breadth of my knowledge whilst providing me with hands-on experience in the office.
AWP sponsored and supported me for two years during my Level 3 Construction in the Built Environment course at York College. Having achieved two Distinction Stars in this course, I commenced my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at university, once again, one day a week.
I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Derby, achieving a First-Class Honours in Civil Engineering. I am now working towards gaining Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, which will place me in a strong position to achieve my Civil Engineering Chartership in the near future.
My role at AWP is extremely diverse; my day-to-day involves designing anything from the foundations of a six-storey building, along with the steel to support the entire structure, to a small-scale home improvement project where the dining room and kitchen become an open-plan kitchen-diner. The job variation working here is a huge positive as I can essentially design anything from foundations or drainage to the structure itself. Due to an increased level of responsibility, I have begun to lead my own projects on a larger scale, which means I get the opportunity to interact directly with clients and other subcontractors, working with them to successfully deliver multi-million-pound projects. I have taken on more leadership responsibilities, including assisting with apprentices in the company and strategically delegating tasks on projects to other team members.
Once I identified that I wanted to become a civil and structural engineer, I knew I needed to secure a position where I had a variety of tasks and responsibilities. AWP was able to provide me with that because it’s a well-established company with several offices in major cities and has a wide customer base. From my work experience, I observed how organised the team was and how well they worked together to achieve the end goal. I believed I would fit in well.
Working as part of a small office means we’re a very tight-knit team which I personally love.
Team building outside of work hours is actively encouraged through the provision of a social fund. Such activities have included a bongo bingo night and group meals. As an avid football fan, I can use the AWP employee benefits portal to save money on such things as hotels and public transport. Management takes an interest in the self-development and well-being of the staff.
I look forward to coming to work to see the team, learning, collaborating and developing. However, when I am at work, I have to work hard to fulfil the responsibilities and opportunities provided to me. As a determined person who really wants to push myself, I love this and would recommend it to others.
I feel that there is real opportunity for me to develop at AWP. The company supports my desire to obtain my BEng Degree and become a chartered engineer. They provide me with on-the-job experience and increased responsibility on larger projects. They also provide me with a mentor, and my colleagues are always happy to share their wisdom and experience.
The sense of accomplishment from owning a project end-to-end is unparalleled, whether it is a drive-through Starbucks or a multimillion-pound hospital, the feeling never changes. Although it’s hard to pick one, the development at James Cook Hospital really stands out personally, as the complexity and constraints facilitated my development as an engineer.
For me, the apprenticeship scheme suited me better than full-time university. Building hands-on experience from day one has accelerated my ability to develop within the company, and I am quite relieved to have no university debt. I highly recommend apprenticeships with AWP, and I will be eternally grateful to AWP for the support and opportunities they have provided me with.
Harvey Dobson
Advanced Apprentice Technician
Hull
I joined straight from leaving school.
I had prior knowledge of apprenticeships as my sister went into one as she left school. I liked that idea, so I contacted local engineering firms to find out whether they offered civil engineering apprenticeships. I also checked the Government’s apprenticeship website to see what schemes were available. At AWP, I spoke with Alison Ringrose, who put me in touch with EN: Able Futures, which facilitates people and placements. They organised an interview for me with AWP, who subsequently offered me a position.
Yes, I have passed my Level 3 Civil Engineering qualification at East Riding College and will be continuing with my studies at Salford University, studying for my Level 6 Civil Engineering qualification
In total, there were seven units, each containing three assignments, over a two-year period. There was also an EPA (end-point assessment), which was with the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE). For this, I was given a project brief in which I had to design a drainage system and present it to two professionals from the ICE. This took half a year to do and also included an interview.
In my current role, I help engineers with drawing work for drainage designs and external works. I also design the drainage for multiple schemes such as residential developments, agricultural developments and commercial jobs. The people I interact with in my role are clients and mainly lead Local Flood Authorities.
I find working at AWP really enjoyable. The people I work with are kind and take the time to sit down with me and help if I need any assistance. The company benefits that I mainly use are flexi-time and the social fund; there are also many more benefits available through an employee portal, where you can save money on everyday things you buy.
Working at AWP is a great experience with a lot of different people to learn new skills and knowledge from; it is also an enjoyable place to work.
There are a lot of opportunities for my career advancement. For example, I am going on to do a degree in September and then further plan to obtain a Master’s and become Chartered, all of which AWP will support and sponsor.
I would really recommend the apprenticeship route straight from school as it is a great way to kickstart your career and get a lot of experience whilst working. It is a great way to learn, as you learn a lot from your colleagues and from your college course too. It also allows you to get paid whilst learning rather than going to college in the week and working at the weekend.