A civil engineering trainee performs many of the same tasks as a licensed, registered, and experienced civil engineer, but only under the supervision of a licensed, registered, and experienced civil engineer. A civil engineering trainee position’s goal is to teach a newly graduated and licensed engineer how to properly perform all job duties in a safe environment where they can be guided and learn. A civil engineering trainee learns how to analyze, conduct field tests, and conduct research in order to complete small-scale engineering projects. The complexity of tasks increases with experience, while supervision decreases. The engineer may take an exam to earn the right to practice civil engineering without supervision at the end of the trainee period.
To become a civil engineering trainee, you must meet the same requirements as to become a civil engineer. A trainee in the United States must hold a four-year engineering degree from an accredited college or university, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and meet state licensing requirements. Education and licensing requirements are similar in most other countries.
Passing the FE qualifies you to work as a civil engineering trainee. Many civil engineering trainees will begin performing technical tasks right away, but they will be supervised by an experienced engineer whose goal is to help the trainee gain on-the-job experience. This setup allows a trainee to learn aspects of the job that are difficult to teach in a classroom setting. After passing the Principle and Practice of Engineering exam in the United States, a civil engineering trainee earns the right to work as an engineer without supervision.
Civil engineers use their scientific and technical knowledge to solve problems in the real world. They plan and design public infrastructure and structures such as roads, bridges, and public utility systems. Civil engineering trainees learn to perform the same tasks and may attend classes in larger companies. The duration of a civil engineering trainee program can range from a year to several years.
Civil engineering students will conduct field work, take measurements, and conduct research. They’ll make plans, draft documents, and look over maps and documents. During the design process, civil engineering trainees make estimates and review right-of-ways and legal descriptions. In larger organizations, they may rotate through several different engineering concentrations and work under a variety of different types of engineering specialists. This provides new trainees with a broad base of engineering experience while also allowing them to network with seasoned professionals and gain a better understanding of the civil engineering profession.