We pride ourselves on being innovative and forward-thinking, and offer a supportive environment with space to learn here at PJA. This combined with having some of the industries finest transport planners, engineers and place makers to be influenced by and we’re in the best place to offer opportunities to those at the beginning of their careers.
We spoke with Tom Spencer, a student studying engineering at UTC Reading who’s currently gaining experience working with our team in Reading. We asked him about his time at PJA:
What is your background and what led you to a placement at PJA?
I am a student currently studying for a Level 3 BTEC in engineering at UTC Reading. I was looking to gain work experience within civil engineering to ensure that this was an area that I wanted to focus on after my course had finished. My mum has a friend in construction who introduced me to Sam Goss, Associate Director at PJA and we arranged to do a week’s work experience. However, I enjoyed working there so we came to the agreement that I could continue working with them during the holidays to learn and gain more experience.
What skills do you feel you’ve gained from your time at PJA?
During my time at PJA I have gained industry experience and have even made small contributions to live projects, my AutoCAD skills have also greatly improved as I have learnt how to use the program more effectively using different commands and shortcuts. As well as technical skills I have also learnt communication skills, time-management and team work.
What has been the highlight of your time at PJA?
The highlight of my time at PJA has been working with the team, as they are all supportive and explain concepts in a clear and easy to understand way, I have also enjoyed learning about the processes that go into designing projects and they work as a team in order to complete goals effectively.
What’s next for you?
I would like pursue a career in civil engineering by either doing an apprenticeship or a degree apprenticeship once I have left college.
What would you say to someone else who might be thinking about doing a placement?
I would say “go for it”. Work placements help you gain valuable skills and experiences that are relevant and can be transferred and used in other aspects of your life, it also helps you to understand what the workplace environment is like and how important team work is to be able to get a job done.
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