Job Description

Apprentice Structural Engineer

Immediately available opportunity at J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd. Get paid for gaining a degree apprenticeship qualification with on-the-job mentoring and learning with a leading steelwork 'design & build' fabricator.

As an Apprentice Structural Engineer, you shall study Civil Engineering (Environmental Civil Engineering) BSc (Hons) undergraduate degree on a day release program with Glasgow Caledonian University. This is a progressive role that will develop as your apprenticeship moves through the academic course.

As you gain more competency skills, knowledge and experience through your day job and study, you will begin to hone your skills and learn how to engineer your own contribution to projects under the direction and support of our qualified and experienced Structural Engineers.

As an apprentice with J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd. , you shall be afforded the opportunity to experience the route-map from the inception of the design, through the commercial and logistical phases to the fabrication and erection of scheme.

Your role in the Design Department includes the following:

Working as a member of a team Document management and supporting the administration of projects Working primarily in an office environment but with on-site access to our production facility Developing competency in design software and applying this to engineering solutions Preparation of calculations & specifications Liaising with the wider team, be our internal departments or the project design team and clients Contributing to problem solving and value engineered solutions Ensuring deliverables meet the required standards
Our apprenticeship programme at JDP will provide you with the foundations to independently maximise your full potential.

The attributes we are looking for in you?

Reliability, pragmatic, self-motivated and an avid team player with strong communication skills. An inclusive attitude and a commitment to skills development with the drive to keep learning. An abundance of self-initiative. A lateral thinker who can apply sound reasoning and logic to solve problems, and who is can think on their feet to direct their decisions.

What is it like to be a Structural Engineer

?

Designing reality in a respected and rewarding profession with good earning potential.

You can learn more at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) website: Click Here

Structural Engineering is a specialism of Civil Engineering focusing on Buildings in the built environment. As a Structural Engineer with JDP, you shall apply a lot of the civil engineering attributes to a specialist career in the design and detailing of structural steelwork structures, including buildings and bridges.

Future Prospects

Our offer of a degree apprenticeship is a direct, fully funded pathway to professional qualification, combining undergraduate education with on the job training and contribution to real-life projects. As an apprentice engineer, you shall graduate from our scheme with both the theoretical knowledge and practical industry experience necessary to become a stand-out and respected engineering specialist.

The apprenticeship will run over a

five-year

period in which you will undertake a supervised programme of work-based training and university study on a day release program which itself shall be over the first four years. Your study will be towards a Civil Engineering BSc (Hons), with your last year focused on professional development suitable to attaining professional membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

Work-based learning modules (which may be subject to change)

These are additional to the University Programme Syllabus which can be found by reference to the GCU website.

Years 1 and 2 will be work-based learning modules. You shall continuously report on the work you undertake in the workplace. Year 3 shall be The Engineer in Business where you shall work as part of a group to run a business for a year. Your final year shall be a project working on something that's either critical or beneficial to our business.
Upon successful completion of your degree and the end-point assessment, you will have met the requirements needed to reach Incorporated Engineer status with the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). This is an affiliated institution to the IStructE. The challenge then is reflecting on your work-based skills attainment to secure entry to the membership of the

Institution of Structural Engineers

. You shall be afforded our full support in your drive beyond Technical Membership of the Institution to become a Chartered Member through the

Engineering Council

.

After the apprenticeship, we expect you to continue to grow your career with us as there need be no limit to your ambitions or skillset.

Things to consider

A commuting time of more than one hour is not considered as a healthy work/life balance and candidate selection may be vetted accordingly. This is primarily an office-based role working at a desk using a computer for most of the day. You shall be afforded the opportunity to experience the factory and sites. A Construction Skills certification Scheme (CSCS) test will be necessary if your application proves successful.
You shall attend university as an ambassador for J&D Pierce and with a supporting letter as part of your admissions process.

Your Learning Provider is currently outlined as Glasgow Caledonian University but please note that this could be subject to change depending on availability at application.

University entry requirements

Minimum of four Highers. Must include Maths, Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science at grade B or better. One Higher must be achieved at A grade.

We will only consider applications from candidates who:

Have full eligibility to work in the UK. Who have just finished Higher's, or BTEC equivalent. Demonstrate proficiency in both written and verbal communication.

How to apply:

The intake for the 2026 Apprenticeship is now pressing with enrolment into university scheduled for this year .

We are a lean but effective business originating in North Ayrshire and this year we celebrate 50 years. All applicants shall be fielded direct by our Design Department who shall draw down a short-list, within a target closing date of close-of-business

15th May 2026

.

Interviews shall start shortly thereafter with all written correspondence ex-changed via email.

Candidates should submit a detailed CV for the attention of Stephen Curran.

How to apply:

Contact our Principal Engineer, Stephen Curran at careers@jdpierce.co.uk

Telephone: 01505 683724

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Apprenticeship

Pay: From 26,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Work Location: In person