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Apprenticeship training course

Geotechnical engineer (integrated degree) (level 7)

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Information about Geotechnical engineer (integrated degree) (level 7)

Understand, model and analyse the ground.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Ground investigation techniques and solutions to derive soil and rock parameters for subsequent geotechnical engineering activities: intrusive and non-intrusive in situ techniques, laboratory tests, and instrumentation and monitoring techniques.
  • Ground conditions and ground shaping processes: soil and rock forming, hydrology, hydrogeology and geomorphology; naturally occurring and/or from human activities. How they can impact on construction projects and create geohazards for geotechnical assets.
  • Soil and rock behaviour (soil and rock mechanics) when exposed to changes in load and/or environmental conditions and the implications this can have on the short- and long-term performance of geotechnical assets.
  • Numerical, analytical and critical analysis techniques for the analysis of engineering problems and development of solutions. The limitations of these approaches.
  • Desk based research techniques for developing a specification for a ground investigation. Correlating outcomes from a ground investigation with fundamental engineering parameters relating to the soil/rock.
  • Principles of economic responsibilities, ethical principles, social responsibilities and, environmental protection and sustainability. How they must be applied to geotechnical engineering activities in the short- and long-term.
  • The implications of contaminated land on geotechnical activities and design solutions in the short- and long-term. Contaminated land remediation approaches.
  • Design principles and methods for geotechnical engineering and their limitations.
  • Design codes and standards for geotechnical engineering activities.
  • Current and previous industry developments, case studies and forensic analysis for use in design solutions.
  • The need for 'buildability' and consideration of long-term asset performance during the design stage.
  • Geotechnical asset management techniques and approaches through construction and post construction; and the importance of considering these during the design stage.
  • Construction methods and management approaches used when constructing/managing geotechnical assets.
  • Project management techniques for geotechnical engineering activities: estimating, programming, cost and budget control and resource management.
  • Risk management techniques relating to the uncertainty/ambiguity inherent geotechnical engineering activities. For example, controlling risks to the environment, economy and society, risks arising during construction, risks on the geotechnical assets themselves, and those associated with the project: programme/budget control, commercial and financial issues.
  • Legal requirements, including Health and Safety at Work, Environmental Protection and sustainability, Construction Design Management (CDM), data protection.
  • Commercial and contractual requirements when undertaking geotechnical engineering activities: forms of contract, mechanisms of payment, specifications, and procurement.
  • Time management techniques.
  • Teamwork and leadership: negotiation techniques, conflict management, development techniques and, diversity, equality and inclusivity considerations.
  • Communication techniques: oral, written, drawings and presentations.
  • Information technology: digital tools for research, analysis, and presentation of data, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital communication and collaboration packages.

Skills

  • Specify ground investigations to obtain geotechnical data including in situ techniques, laboratory tests and instrumentation and monitoring techniques.
  • Interpret the ground investigation data and develop a ground model including the identification of geohazards, contaminated land and other risks to the project as appropriate.
  • Collect, analyse, and interpret data using numerical, analytical and critical analysis techniques to develop an engineering understanding of the ground and how this will impact upon future design solutions; short- and long-term responses.
  • Undertake research and employ suitable methods to improve understanding of the engineering response of the ground. For example, undertake a laboratory study, numerical analysis, interpret previously published data on the ground conditions (or data from laboratory/numerical investigations), learn from previous case studies and/or utilise established correlations between parameters.
  • Make geotechnical engineering decisions.
  • Use geotechnical design principles, methods, codes and standards when developing geotechincal solutions.
  • Develop geotechnical engineering strategies and evaluate the potential impacts of these. For example, economic sustainability, ethical, societal and, environmental and sustainability perspectives and practical considerations such as buildability and long-term asset management.
  • Produce geotechnical engineering designs, specification and drawings. For example, for tender and construction stages.
  • Use project management techniques. For example, estimating, programming, cost and budget control and resource management.
  • Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, Environmental protection and sustainability, CDM and data protection.
  • Use risk management techniques and manage risks associated with geotechnical engineering activities.
  • Plan and manage own time.
  • Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management and developing others; taking account of diversity, equality and inclusivity.
  • Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders: oral, written, drawings, and presentations.
  • Use information technology: digital tools for research, analysis, and presentation of data, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital communication and collaboration packages.

Behaviours

  • Prioritises and promotes ethical, sustainable and socially responsible practices.
  • Adaptable, flexible and resilient in challenging and/or changing environments.
  • Takes responsibility for decisions, designs and procedures.
  • Takes a whole life cycle view.
  • Committed to continued professional development and is open to innovation.
  • Collaborates and promotes team work across diverse teams: internal, external and across disciplines.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Engineering and manufacturing
Qualification level
7
Equal to master’s degree
Course duration
30 months
Maximum funding
£21,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Tunnelling engineer
  • Geo-environmental engineer
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • Engineering geologist

View more information about Geotechnical engineer (integrated degree) (level 7) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.