
Thomas Beech – Year in Industry Placement at SWTRA
“I joined SWTRA for my Industrial Placement year, whilst completing my Civil Engineering Degree at Cardiff University.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Structures Condition team as a Junior Asset Technician. The most enjoyable and rewarding element of this placement has been the opportunity to get on-site and visit structures across South Wales. I have been able to see first-hand many of the different designs and construction techniques used in bridges, ranging from 1000m+ concrete viaducts to 18th century masonry arch structures. The technical knowledge and experience in detecting structural defects, due to my involvement with the general inspections, will be invaluable to my professional development as a civil engineer.
One of the most worthwhile experiences this placement offers is the supervision of maintenance works, such as bridge joint replacements and resurfacing works taking place overnight on the network. It is certainly a surreal experience to be stood on an empty carriageway of the M4, and supervising these works has taught me a look of things I never would have known about whilst studying at university. Engineering involves lots of problem solving and adaptive decision making, and the night shifts were a perfect opportunity to witness this in action. Whilst in the office, I have been responsible for preparing ‘Principal Inspection’ reports on the structural condition of culverts. The experience in writing professional and coherent reports will be invaluable for my final year at university. SWTRA has offered me a flexible and varied industrial placement, with a mix between working from home or the office, site work and night shifts. In my opinion an industrial placement is one of the most beneficial things to do alongside your degree, and SWTRA has given me the opportunity to have a solid foundation going into my final year at university, with newly developed practical knowledge and understanding of industry.”