What it's like to be a Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice at AtkinsRéalis Ireland

How my apprenticeship at AtkinsRéalis Ireland helped me grow via hands-on experience and real-world engineering projects.

My name is Ismail. I'm a Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice with the Water and Infrastructure team at AtkinsRéalis Ireland. I work on major water, wastewater, and pharmaceutical projects. In my current role, I focus on design engineering, striving to deliver accurate, practical, and sustainable solutions.

Why I chose a civil engineering degree apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis

I joined AtkinsRéalis because it leads the way in delivering major engineering projects that make a real difference to communities. That means I have opportunities every day to help develop efficient and enduring infrastructure, which aligns perfectly with my passion for creating innovative and effective engineering solutions.

Real projects that build experience in water, wastewater, and pharmaceutical designs.

One of the highlights of my apprenticeship was helping to design and draft plans for a major upgrade to a water treatment plant, to increase its capacity from 8 to 22 million litres per day. I also contributed to the clash detection process, making sure different parts of the design worked together smoothly.

As part of modernizing the water treatment plant, I was also responsible for design and technical calculations using CAD and Revit software. My role involved producing accurate drawings and ensuring that everything met the required engineering standards. It was a great opportunity to enhance my attention to detail, build my collaborative skills, and solve complex challenges.

Another project involved drafting work for a pharmaceutical plant upgrade, which gave me valuable exposure to different facets of the industry.

Working across water, wastewater, and pharmaceutical projects, each with its own unique challenges, has grown my engineering capabilities and made me more adaptable. These experiences have helped me gain confidence in civil and structural design. Now I'm exploring and contributing in even more areas that interest me, such as advanced modelling, sustainable design, and innovative construction methods.

Seeing the impact: how my work helps communities and supports sustainability

It's rewarding to see my work making a tangible difference around me. Upgrading the water treatment plant means cleaner, safer water for more people, while improving efficiency and helping the community prepare for future demand. The pharmaceutical plant upgrade supports local healthcare and brings economic benefits by enhancing production standards and securing long‑term investment. It all drives me to keep learning, improving, and delivering high‑quality engineering solutions.

How my apprenticeship is helping me build skills, confidence, and collaboration

These early years are a crucial foundation for shaping a meaningful and rewarding career. Through my apprenticeship, I've gained valuable hands‑on experience, the chance to learn from inspiring mentors, and the space to build both technical and professional skills. Collaborating with colleagues and exchanging ideas has also helped me grow, improve project outcomes, and deepen my passion for the work. It motivates me to keep finding smart, practical solutions – and makes every day enjoyable and inspiring.

Starting out in engineering is full of opportunities and challenges – and that's exactly what excites me. If you're looking for a career where every day brings new hands‑on challenges that build on your academic learning while working with supportive colleagues – look no further.

Explore AtkinsRéalis Apprenticeships in Ireland