Meet Lauren
Lauren Cooper is an assistant civil engineer in Kier’s Design Assured Delivery team and is currently working on the A417 Missing Link project in Gloucestershire. She began her journey at Kier five years ago, completing a BTEC Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeship with the Institute of Chartered Engineers (ICE).
She is now continuing her development through a degree apprenticeship in civil engineering.
Her journey into the construction world.
Lauren’s path into construction began when she finished school unsure of what to do next. Her original plan was to go to university and study “something random,” but her favourite subjects were always maths and physics.
With both her dad and grandad working in construction, they encouraged her to consider construction. At first, she was hesitant, she attended an all-girls’ school and careers in construction were rarely spoken about.
After doing some research, Lauren discovered civil engineering apprenticeships. The mix of maths, physics, and real-world problem solving was appealing to her. She liked that she could earn a degree, gain hands-on experience, and get paid at the same time. So, she went for it.
How was your experience during the BTEC apprenticeship?
I enjoyed it, but it was hard working full time while all my friends were still in sixth form.
They would ask me, ‘When do you break up for the holidays?’ and I’d have to explain that I didn’t get the same breaks anymore. It was a big adjustment at first.”
“I liked that the apprenticeship covered all the different aspects of civil engineering. It gave me an insight into a wide range of topics and helped me explore what I enjoyed. It was a good way to figure out what direction I wanted to go in.”
Lauren began her apprenticeship in the structural design team in Birmingham, where she spent her first years learning the technical side of engineering. She worked closely with designers, gaining experience in calculations, drawings, and understanding how structures come together.
As she progressed, she moved into project management, which is the area she works in today.
“The switch was a bit difficult because it’s very different to what I do now. Back then, everything was more technical, looking at structures, doing lots of numerical thinking, and being much more hands-on. Project management is much more people focus and a different type of responsibility.”
During her BTEC apprenticeship, her day-to-day work involved computer aided design (CAD) drawings, supporting design documentation, and helping the team prepare technical information, this gave her a strong foundation in how engineering projects are designed and delivered.
What was was hardest part?
Lauren joined Kier in 2020, right at the start of the COVID Covid pandemic. This meant that her introduction to the company happened whilst everyone was working from home. She had to adapt to virtual meetings and remote support. Her team held regular check-ins to help her stay on track, but it was still a challenging way to start her career. After two years of working from home, she finally returned to the office full-time.
Another challenge for her was feeling nervous about asking questions.
“I found it difficult to ask for help at first. I would try to do everything by myself but over the years I’ve learnt that it’s okay to ask those ‘silly questions’ they’re never actually silly. I’ve also learnt the importance of reaching out for help when you need it.
This shift in mindset has been one of the biggest lessons from her apprenticeship and something she now encourages other apprentices to also embrace.
About her degree apprenticeship
Lauren is now in the second year of her degree apprenticeship in civil engineering. For her, continuing her studies through an apprenticeship felt like the natural next step.
She saw it to progress her career while staying hands-on in the industry.
“What I love about the degree apprenticeship is how hands-on and involved you are. You gain so much industry knowledge, not just the academic side of it.”
Her days are never the same, and she loves getting the chance to work in different locations, meet new people, and see the real-world impact of the projects she contributes to.
“Our work is very tangible. You get to see the positive impact it has on the people we’re building it for and i feel proud to be part of it.”
Day to day as degree apprentice
Lauren’s responsibilities have grown significantly since her BTEC apprenticeship. Her current role is much more people‑focused and involves managing key parts of the project.
“My day‑to‑day is more people‑based now. One of my biggest responsibilities is land. There are about 500 land plots on this project, and I have to manage the ownerships, purchases, client interface, and the CAD modelling.” This mix of technical work and stakeholder management has helped her build a strong foundation for her future career in civil engineering.
Skills she’s learnt along the way
Communication has been one of the most important skills she’s developed.
“Communication skills are a big one. I speak to a lot of different people all the time. You have to be very clear with how you communicate, making sure people understand what you’re trying to say. Being able to convey your message in different forms of communication has been vital for my role.”
Progression in her Career
Lauren’s career has moved quickly since she first joined Kier. After starting in the structures team, she later transitioned into project management, where she discovered a new side of engineering that suited her strengths.
Along the way, she achieved her EngTech qualification which is a a milestone that recognises her technical competence and professional development. In September 2025, she was promoted from apprentice to assistant engineer, marking a major step forward in her civil engineering career.
Her journey shows how apprenticeships can open doors, build confidence, and create opportunities for progression within the industry.
Advice for school leavers considering construction
“If you’re still at school, my advice is to get as much experience as you can. Do placements, go to careers fairs, and try to learn as much as possible. And network with people, all of these thing really help". Early exposure to the industry can make a huge difference in understanding what civil engineering actually involves and discovering whether it’s the right path.
If you’re considering a future in construction, civil engineering, or an apprenticeship route, now is the perfect time to explore your options.
Talk to employers, attend careers events, look for placements, and ask questions , even the ones that feel “silly.” Every step you take builds confidence, clarity, and an opportunity.
Ready to start your own journey? Explore our apprenticeship programmes.
