This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating our talent shaping tomorrow. Here’s apprentice Alaw’s story.

Alaw Morgan joined NMWTRA after completing the first year of A-Levels and taking a gap year.

On her decision to pursue a career in Civil Engineering, Alaw said: “A member of my family is a Senior Engineer in Highways, and I have a lot of knowledge of what he does, and it really interests me. I saw an advert for the apprenticeship and decided to go for it.”

She continued: “My time at NMWTRA has been incredibly valuable, offering me a comprehensive view of how the organisation operates. I’ve had the opportunity to rotate through several key departments, including Health & Safety, Inspections, Tunnel Resilience, and Streetworks, as well as spending valuable time with the Assistant Route Managers (ARMs). Seeing how these teams collaborate to keep the network running has been a highlight.

Beyond the technical side, everyone here has been fantastic. All the staff have been exceptionally supportive and welcoming, which made settling into the team a very enjoyable experience.”

There is a focus on personal development throughout NMWTRA’s apprenticeship programme through specialised training. Alaw has already completed several essential courses, including gaining her CSCS card, Working at Heights and Working in Confined Spaces Awareness training, Working Near Water, and the Highway Safety Inspector’s course.

These certifications have not only built Alaw’s confidence but have also given her a much deeper understanding of NMWTRA’s on-site operations.

Alaw commented: “I’m thoroughly enjoying the role because no two days are the same, I love the balance of being office-based, working from home, and heading out on the road network to see the work in action.

I am really looking forward to what the next few months have in store and I’m excited to spend more time learning from the other departments across the agency.

In the future, Alaw plans to complete an HNC in Civil Engineering before going on to a degree.