We continue to celebrate our talented team during National Apprenticeship Week. Here’s apprentice Jacks story…

Jack Goodwin joined NMWTRA after 6^th Form where he studied A-level Physics and Biology, and a BTEC in Engineering.

Speaking about his apprenticeship Jack said: “I was tired of full-time education and didn’t want to go to university. I wanted job experience in the engineering sector. I heard about the apprenticeship opportunities with NMWTRA and decided to apply.”

Jack has been working within various units across NMWTRA to gain experience and knowledge of the Agency.

He said: “I started with the Inspections team where I participated on walked and detailed inspections, learning the types of defects and how to categorise them using the risk matrix.

I have also completed the Highways Safety Inspection course where I learnt about the legislation and responsibility to maintain highways. I have more time scheduled with the Inspections team later this year where I can become more competent in identifying the different types of defects.”

Jack also enjoyed a month with Traffic Wales where he learnt about the safety systems inside the A55 tunnels, had driver training in a traffic officer vehicle whilst learning the risks, and health and safety of working on high-speed roads before joining traffic officers on patrol of the network.

He spent a few weeks with route management where he accompanied Assistant Route Manager’s (ARMs) on their patrols, raising OI’s and inspected street works which linked well with his time with the Streetworks team. Jack spent a week learning about raising works notices and penalties and identifying Section 81’s, (defective iron works) on the network before raising the notice back in the office. Learning the criteria for wide loads and routes was something he also found interesting.

Jack said: “So far in my apprenticeship, I have had plenty of training opportunities that have helped me develop my knowledge and skills. I also attended an event organised by NMWTRA who were hosting the President of the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), and I took part in a Tunnel Resilience Exercise, both were very good events to attend. These gave me a better understanding of how the industry works in practice and allowed me to learn steps involved in real-life scenarios.”