Jump directly to main content Jump directly to menu

Information menu

Higher apprenticeship

Civil Engineering Senior Technician

Academic development and work-based skills that support your business needs

An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.

Speak to us today

The short answer

36 monthsTypically, 36 months, studying HNC Civil Engineering alongside preparation for end-point assessment.
FeesAny fees for a 19+ learner, where the company is a non-Apprenticeship Levy payer will be paid by the company.
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Civil EngineeringAwarded by Pearson
Level 4Nationally recognised
Day releaseHow the taught part runs
Standard ST0046The official reference for this apprenticeship
Before they start

What an apprentice needs

Applicants must be in full-time employment and:

  • Be 18 or older
  • Have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding
  • Meet course entry requirements

In order to optimise success candidates will typically have 5 GCSE's at Grade C ( Grade 4/5 in the new numerical GCSE grading system) or above, including Mathematics, English and a Science, Technology or Engineering related subject, or 90+ credits in an Engineering BTEC at level 3.

*(As further guidance, the level of Mathematics has an advisory GCSE level of grade B (Grade 5/6 in the new numerical GCSE grading system).

A list of acceptable equivalent qualifications is available from the gov.uk website, as well as guidance on obtaining replacement certificates. It will not be possible for applicants to proceed with their application unless they are able to provide evidence of achievement or proof that they have applied for replacement certificates.

All applications are individually assessed.

The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.

What they’ll learn

The Civil Engineering Senior Technician apprenticeship provides both academic development and the vocational work-based knowledge and skills to be successful in a dynamic construction environment

  1. They will coordinate and manage technical planning and design

    Coordinating, managing and providing the technical planning, design, building, management, maintenance or dismantling of the built environment.

    Covers Construction Design Project (Pearson-set), Civil Engineering Technology

  2. They will build underpinning knowledge in structural design and materials

    HNC units in Principles of Structural Design, Science & Materials and Mathematics for Construction, selected to support underpinning knowledge.

    Covers Principles of Structural Design, Science & Materials, Mathematics for Construction

  3. They will study the construction environment, with optional surveying and site supervision

    The Construction Environment is a core unit; Surveying, Measuring & Setting-out and Site Supervision & Operations are optional units.

    Covers The Construction Environment, Surveying, Measuring & Setting-out, Site Supervision & Operations

  4. They will produce a work-based portfolio and a technical project report

    A work-based portfolio of evidence, then at end-point assessment a technical project report and presentation with questioning, and a professional discussion.

  5. They will finish aligned with professional bodies, supporting CPD

    Completion aligns with professional bodies including the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (iStructE), supporting CPD opportunities.

The programme

Level 4 · 8 units

Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering

  1. Level 4

    Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering.

    • Core mandatory units
    • Construction Design Project (Pearson-set)Unit 1
    • The Construction EnvironmentUnit 4
    • Mandatory units
    • Science & MaterialsUnit 3
    • Mathematics for ConstructionUnit 8
    • Civil Engineering TechnologyUnit 17
    • Specialist mandatory units
    • Principles of Structural DesignUnit 19
    • Optional units
    • Surveying, Measuring & Setting-outUnit 7
    • Site Supervision & OperationsUnit 20
Then: where it leads

Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.

About this apprenticeship

The Civil Engineering Senior Technician apprenticeship provides both academic development and the vocational work-based knowledge and skills to be successful in a dynamic construction environment supporting the business needs of the company.

Read more about this apprenticeship

Benefits for the Employer

Support the business needs by providing, coordinate, manage and provide the technical planning, design, building, management, maintenance or dismantling of the built environment.

Benefits for the Apprentice

The apprenticeship offers both an academic qualification HNC Civil Engineer alongside the vocational work-based learning with your employer. The HNC units selected support underpinning knowledge and align with the knowledge, skills and behaviour’s set within the end-point assessment.

Completion of the apprenticeship aligns with the professional bodies listed below, supporting CPD opportunities.

  • Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
  • Chartered Institution of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
  • Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
  • Institute of Higher Engineers (IHE)
  • Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
  • Institution of Structural Engineers (iStructE)
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Learning Approach

Attendance on day release to study Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering.

Production of a work-based portfolio of evidence

End-point assessment activities within college and workplace.

Study Commitment

As a guide, apprentices should expect to study for an additional 12 hours per week on top of their scheduled learning. Employers are expected to support their apprentice's study by providing a workplace mentor and supporting meetings and assessments.

Qualification Awarded

HNC Civil Engineering apprenticeship alongside.

Next Steps

Contact our Employer Training team EmployerTraining@DNColleges.ac.uk

Location

Option to study at 1 of 2 campuses: University Campus Doncaster (UCDon) or University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL)

Assessment

Nobody springs anything on anyone

1
End-point assessment

Technical project report and presentation with questioning

2
End-point assessment

Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

More about the assessment

EPA:

There are 2 elements to the assessment and will take place over a typical period of 4 months once the apprentice as gone through gateway. The 3 elements are:

  • Assessment 1: Technical project report and presentation with questioning
  • Assessment 2: Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

EPA:

There are 2 elements to the assessment and will take place over a typical period of 4 months once the apprentice as gone through gateway. The 3 elements are:

  • Assessment 1: Technical project report and presentation with questioning
  • Assessment 2: Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
Getting started

What it takes, on both sides

If you're the employer

  • A real role that covers the standard. Your Employer Relationship Officer will check it before anyone enrols.
  • Time released for teaching, on a timetable you'll have from day one.
  • Half an hour every 8 to 10 weeks for a three-way review.
  • Your say-so when the apprentice is ready for their final assessment.

If you want to be the apprentice

  • A job. An apprenticeship is employment, so you need an employer before you can start.
  • Already working in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
  • An initial skills scan with us, so we know where you're starting from.
  • No employer yet? That's the usual starting point, and finding one is the part we help with.
Where it leads

This is a step, not a destination

Successful completion of the apprentice can lead to progression onto Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering, alternatively L6 degree apprenticeship.

Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.

Progression

Where this course can take you

  1. Before you start
  2. This course Level 4
  3. Further study

Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.

Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

Careers it can lead to

  • Building and Civil Engineering Technicians £30,700 a year
  • Engineering Technicians £39,700 a year
  • Electrical and Electronics Technicians £31,000 a year
  • Science, Engineering and Production Technicians £35,100 a year
See all 13 careers
  • Planning, Process and Production Technicians £39,700 a year
  • Construction Operatives £30,800 a year
  • Construction and Building Trades £27,500 a year

With further study or experience

  • Civil Engineers £48,200 a year
  • Electrical Engineers £55,000 a year
  • Electronics Engineers £47,700 a year
  • Engineering Professionals £41,400 a year
  • Mechanical Engineers £46,400 a year
  • Production and Process Engineers £44,100 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

How to start this apprenticeship

It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.

I'm an employer

Put someone on this programme

Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.

Speak to us today 01302 553 913

Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.

I want to be an apprentice

You'll need an employer first

An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.

No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.