Apprenticeships in Infrastructure and Transport Service

Current apprenticeship opportunity: Civil Engineering Apprentice

As a Civil Engineering Apprentice, you'll be supported every step of the way, gaining real-world experience while developing the skills you need to build a successful career in the industry.

Closing date: Friday 6 March 2026

Apply here: Civil Engineering Apprenticeship

Background

Within Infrastructure and Transport:

We have had five apprentices from our last intake
Three apprentices have secured employment with Sunderland City Council so far, before the end of their apprenticeship
All apprentices are on track to pass their Level 3 in Civil Engineering at New College Durham in Spring 2026
All apprentices have experienced numerous departments within the service area to ensure that they can make informed decisions when applying for permanent employment.

Career progression

Within our service area, there is a clear progressional route that can be taken by prospective apprentices in a career at Sunderland City Council.

During Apprenticeship training, individuals will complete a Level 3 course in Civil Engineering, which is then developed further by the completion of a HNC in Civil Engineering, or a relevant subject.

Training is provided by New College Durham.

New College Durham

Apprentices are enrolled on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering.

Apprentices cover a range of topics, including:

Construction Principles
Construction Design
Construction Technology
Health and Safety in Construction
Site Engineering for Construction
Further Mathematics for Construction
Construction in Civil Engineering

And the following optional units (subject to change):

Surveying in Construction
Management of a Construction Project
Principles and Applications of Structural Mechanics

Training is delivered at the college in Durham on a day release basis and apprentices must make their own way to New College Durham.

Apprentices will work four days with their team within Sunderland City Council (SCC) and one day at New College Durham during term-time.

All apprentices will be fully supported through their apprenticeship with college tutors, SCC mentor, line manager and college mentors.

For more information on the Level 3 Apprenticeship, you can visit the New College Durham website: Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Civil Engineering Technician

Apprenticeships at Sunderland City Council

Apprenticeship entry requirements are 5 GCSEs at 9-4/A*-C, with requirement to have Maths and English qualifications at a minimum of a Grade 4/C or equivalent.

For more information on Apprenticeships at Sunderland City Council, please visit our dedicated page on our website: Apprenticeships - Sunderland City Council

Highway Projects

Highway Projects plan, design, and deliver improvements to the city's highway network that keep people, goods, and services moving safely and efficiently. The team manages and delivers road upgrades, junction improvements, sustainable travel schemes and public‑realm enhancements.

As an apprentice in Highway Projects, you'll work in a collaborative environment where every day brings something new. You'll gain hands-on experience helping plan and deliver real infrastructure projects,learning from engineers and project teams as schemes progress from concept to construction. It's your chance to build skills, grow confidence, and make a visible impact on your city.

Feasibility Team

The Feasibility team manage and oversee all incoming requests for service for the highways function. The team investigate each query thoroughly and explain the technical engineering decisions to residents to improve the residents lived experience.

Network, Traffic and Road Safety

Within this team there are many functions that deliver measures on the highway network, such as:

Traffic Projects Team
Road Safety Team
Network Operations

Traffic Projects

The Traffic Projects team deliver many schemes to improve highways such as:

Minor Schemes such as dropped kerbs, installation of bollards etc
Traffic calming schemes
20mph installation
Traffic Regulation Order installation such as waiting restrictions etc

Road Safety

SCC deliver a variety of road safety campaigns to local primary schools to promote road safety and the utilisation of alternative modes of transport.

SCC currently offer the following programmes:

Child Pedestrian Training
Safety Works interactive sessions
Inconsiderate Parking programme
Walk to School Week
WOW Living Street
Promote Brake Walk
Promote Brake Road Safety Week
Campaigns using Road Safety GB North East resources and messages

Network Management

Network Management is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient and reliable movement of all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists across the city's highway network. This includes keeping the network in a safe and serviceable condition, supporting Traffic Regulation Orders, managing signs and notices, carrying out basic site investigations, and helping to maintain good traffic flow and road safety.

Highway Maintenance

The apprentice in the Highway Asset team will be involved in a broad range of projects including the assessment and design of highway maintenance schemes, public rights of way and cycleway inspections and maintenance, assessment of the condition of highway assets and highway inspections.

Bridges and Structures

The Bridges Team is responsible for inspecting and maintaining all bridges and highway structures, which includes footbridges, retaining walls and subways within the city.

We conduct detailed inspections, design and contract supervision of bridge strengthening and structural maintenance schemes, giving priority to public safety, the primary route network and other strategic routes.

Maintenance

Example of a recent Bridge Maintenance project on Chartershaugh Bridge in Washington. The works involved removal of surfacing, deck preparation, concrete repairs, waterproofing & resurfacing. The photos below show these activities being carried out.

Inspection

We conduct detailed inspections of bridges and highway structures including footbridges, retaining walls and subways to enable a programme of maintenance to be carried out ensuring that they are fit for purpose and safe for use.