Interested in a career in Civil Engineering?
Join The Channel Island Group of Professional Engineers (CIGPE) to hear more and chat to industry professionals.
Thursday 8th June | 5pm-7pm | At the International Finance Centre, Building 1 (Main Entrance), The Esplanade, St Helier
CIVIL ENGINEERING: BUILD A CAREER TO BE PROUD OF
Have you ever wondered how buildings like The Shard appear in our skyline? Or how clean water comes out of our taps? Then you’ve been thinking about civil engineering. The breadth of opportunity within the engineering industry is vast and we want to give you an insight into the rewarding, life-changing and creative potential a career in civil engineering in Jersey can bring.
Firstly, what does a civil engineer really do?
Civil engineers are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally-built environment, including roads, bridges, canals, dams, coastal-structures and buildings. For engineers, no two days are ever the same. Engineers are constantly solving problems and generating ideas and work with many different kinds of people. Many engineers develop high level management skills during their career and inevitably go on to become successful project managers within the construction industry and further afield. It is a very rewarding career, not only in terms of salary, but also job satisfaction. Engineers work on projects such as creating flood defences, producing clean energy, building new structures, boring tunnels, designing earth-quake-proof homes or planning new transport systems, many of which are usually around for decades, if not centuries and make a lasting impression in the world.
Why become a civil engineer?
As infrastructure demands grow across the world, the need for highly skilled civil engineers is great. Here in Jersey, the demand is equally great as the island’s infrastructural needs grow and modernise. Engineering companies are always on the lookout for potential new trainees to begin a career in this fast-growing industry so employability is considered high. The civil engineering industry in Jersey is busy with many interesting projects, such as creating the infrastructure for large new buildings, marine projects around the harbour and in coastal defences, as well as the major infrastructure project at Elizabeth Terminal. They are also responsible for works that most people will never see, such as the power station and sewage treatment works; the Cavern, which is a huge underground water storage facility under Snow Hill car park; and the incinerator.
Worldwide, engineers designed and built the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Wembley stadium, and every bridge you have ever seen!
Who would suit becoming a civil engineer? Anyone with an interest in buildings, structures, design, architecture and the physical world would suit a career in civil engineering. Qualifications and aptitude in mathematics, physics and ICT are also required.
If you like problem solving, this could be the career for you.
How could I become a civil engineer? To commence training as a civil engineer in Jersey, you must first secure employment with a local engineering company who will provide the environment for you to begin building your career. From there, you will have the chance to join a BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Construction and The Built Environment, delivered as a day-release apprenticeship programme at Highlands College.* The costs of the programme will be part-funded by the States of Jersey and your employer.
What qualifications do I need to become a trainee? If you’re a school leaver and aged 18+ you must hold one of the following qualifications:
- A GCE Advanced Level profile
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Construction and The Built Environment
- An Access to Higher Education Certificate awarded by an approved further education institution
- Another related Level 3 qualification
Plus
GCSE grades at A* to C [or equivalent] in English, Mathematics & Science
What is the training pathway to becoming a fully qualified civil engineer? On successful completion of the BTEC Level 4 qualification, candidates can progress onto degree level qualifications, and from there, undertake a Master’s degree, and achieve Chartered status. Once a career is established, there are many continued professional development opportunities available in order to continue building your skills and knowledge in this ever-changing and important field of work. University College Jersey is working on providing a new degree provision for apprentices to progress their qualifications on the island which they hope to be made available in the next 2 years. After a couple of years, I returned to Jersey to work for Geomarine. The work locally has been extremely interesting. Although on a smaller scale, the challenges involved were some of the most difficult to plan for. One complex project was replacing some valves at the bottom of a shaft at the desalination plant for Jersey Water. The work involved diving and abseiling to remove and install new valves at the bottom of a 20m deep shaft. The complex work required detailed planning and design in difficult conditions. It was one of the most satisfying jobs because it was done so successfully and won a construction award, although it’s likely that only 2 dozen people have ever seen it!
*Please note, The BTEC Level 4 HNC is proposed to commence in September 2017 and is subject to enrolment numbers. Highlands College reserve the right to cancel any programme in the event of the required applicant numbers not being met.
Case Study Darren Sowney, Project Manager, Geomarine Limited
After graduating with a degree in Civil engineering at Leeds University, I worked in the UK for several years, before transferring to Australia to work on large mining infrastructure projects.
After a couple of years, I returned to Jersey to work for Geomarine. The work locally has been extremely interesting. Although on a smaller scale, the challenges involved were some of the most difficult to plan for. One complex project was replacing some valves at the bottom of a shaft at the desalination plant for Jersey Water. The work involved diving and abseiling to remove and install new valves at the bottom of a 20m deep shaft. The complex work required detailed planning and design in difficult conditions. It was one of the most satisfying jobs because it was done so successfully and won a construction award, although it’s likely that only 2 dozen people have ever seen it! 
The largest project I have worked on in Jersey is the berths 4 & 5 project on Albert Pier. I project-managed this complex engineering work under difficult conditions such as working around the tide. I had to plan the works, manage numerous teams and ensure everything was done safely. I have huge job satisfaction knowing I played a key part in creating this important facility for Ports of Jersey which is used by 1000’s of visitors each year.
Interested in finding out more? The Channel Island Group of Professional Engineers (CIGPE) are hosting a careers event on Thursday 8th June, 5pm-7pm at the International Finance Centre, Building 1 (Main Entrance), The Esplanade, St Helier for anyone interested in discovering more about a career in civil engineering.
For more information, please contact: E darren.sowney@geomarine.je | T 07700714119 | www.cigpe.com
CIGPE would like to thank the Jersey Development Company, Skills Jersey and Highlands College for their key support with this event.