Presidents Apprentice Scheme

Presidents Apprentice Scheme

Projects for 2016-17

Introduction
ICE is pleased to offer the following projects to Presidents Apprentices in 2016-17. They support the
development of the profession and give apprentices the opportunity to gain new skills and
experiences. You will see they all involve soft skills, particularly the abilities to communicate and
influence, which are so vital for those who have ambitions to develop as leaders.

The projects ask for a significant commitment, possibly up to ten days away from work, and therefore
candidates need to be motivated by the challenges on offer and must have their employers backing.
In return, participants get a unique learning experience from being embedded in ICE project teams
and have the opportunity to make their mark, far beyond what could be achieved alone in that time.

Successful new candidates will be invited to meet the President and their fellow apprentices, to share
their ideas and ambitions, and to choose which projects they wish to pursue, either collectively or
individually. Some projects map directly to the Presidents themes for the year - digital engineering,
diversity, broadening the membership - while others support the ICE strategic plan. In both cases,
Institution of Civil Engineers

participants work for ICE Directors and their teams, with the President providing oversight and advice
for the programme as a whole.

Once you have selected your project, you may be joined by 2nd year apprentices who are being given
the opportunity to continue on the programme either on their current project (if both apprentice and
project manager agree) or on a new project.

We hope you will be inspired to get involved!

Contents
POLICY PROJECTS..............................................................................................................2
Project 1: State of the Nation 2017..................................................................................3
Project 2: Urbanisation and Industry Transformation.......................................................4
Project 3: National Needs Assessment............................................................................5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS....................................................................................6
Project 4: Learning from schools to inspire the next generation......................................7
Project 5: Changing public perceptions of civil engineering.............................................8
Project 6: Celebrating the ICE Bicentennial.....................................................................9
INDUSTRY CHANGE PROJECTS.......................................................................................10
Project 7: Digital Engineering Opportunities for Industry Evolution.............................11
Project 8: Changing industry attitudes to diversity.........................................................12
Project 9: Internationalisation of ICE Events.................................................................13

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

POLICY PROJECTS

An annual State of the Nation report is the anchor for a five year ICE campaign to influence
the UK government culminating in a General Election in 2020. In 2016-18 time frame, ICEs
policy and public affairs will focus on securing four objectives;
- Improving infrastructure delivery capacity & capability across UK government;
- Establishing a long term decision making framework for strategic infrastructure
investment;
- Establishing a network level performance metrics;
- Securing the effectiveness of plans for the devolution of infrastructure decision
making.

In addition, the policy team are delivering a series of projects giving greater insight into the
ways ICEs informing opinion programme can engage at different scales: both
internationally and at the sub-national level in the UK.
In 2016-17, three policy projects will be open to presidents apprentices.

Project 1: State of the Nation 2017

Description The 2016 project on devolution comes to a formal conclusion when the report is
published on 30th June 2016; however, the recommendations and findings will
provide the framework for an ongoing devolution work programme to be delivered
through ICEs Northern Powerhouse group. The apprentice(s) will join the group,
help to shape that engagement programme, and support specific events and
stakeholder meetings as part of that programme.
SoN in 2017 will be on Digital Infrastructure, with the launch likely to take place in
late February / early March. Apprentices would be welcome to join this project
and gain an insight into the planning for a major policy launch and then, as with
the devolution work, support the engagement programme that follows.
Time period 12 months
Location The SoN team is based in London, with occasional meetings at regional offices.
However, most work can be carried out remotely.
Final deliverable SoN Devolution: To be agreed with ICEs Northern Powerhouse group
SoN Digital Infrastructure: A publication along with launch event
No. of places Two

The Sponsor

Division / Team External Affairs & Strategy / Policy

Project Manager Andrew Wescott

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes Attention to detail. Good written and verbal communication skills. The ability to
required: analyse and summarise a wide range of evidence.

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

Learning This project will give valuable experience of and involvement in developing a
opportunities: major and influential report, through its entire cycle from setting its research
programme to publication and beyond.

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

Project 2: Urbanisation and Industry Transformation

Description The Thought Leadership Programme enables ICE to explore issues that have
long-term impacts on society and sit outside of our day-to-day Policy and Public
Affairs work. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the programme, working
with those in the legal, accountancy and other professional services.
We are focussing on two main areas over the next two years - Urbanisation and
Industry Transformation. In order to help guide the discussions in these two
areas, ICE has produced green papers, which identify some of the key areas for
discussion and debate. In Urbanisation these are - housing, land use, technology,
and transport. In Industry Transformation these are - agile infrastructure,
autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and future skills.
Over the next two years we will work with partners to explore these issues further,
publishing a variety of digital content along the way
Time period 12 months
Location The Policy team is based in London, with occasional meetings at regional
offices. However, most work can be carried out remotely
Final deliverable Digital content for the relevant policy web-pages
No. of places Two

The Sponsor

Division / Team External Affairs & Strategy / Policy

Project Manager Andrew Wescott

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes A good imagination and willingness to be open minded and thoughtful.
required: Knowledge of different digital platforms would be advantageous.

Learning This programme is about the future of engineering. So being part of this will help
opportunities: shape where your industry is headed

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

Project 3: National Needs Assessment

Description The National Needs Assessment (NNA) is a project facilitated by the Institution of
Civil Engineers on behalf of the UK government to provide a cross-sector
assessment of the UKs national economic infrastructure energy, transport,
communications, water, waste and flooding - needs to 2050 and to identify
options for how they can be met. The report will be published in October 2016;
however, there will be series of follow on projects in different areas. These are
likely to be on financing and funding, public engagement, technology and
interdependencies. The specific topics will be decided closer to publication.

Time period 12 months

Location The Policy team is based in London, with occasional meetings at regional
offices. However, most work can be carried out remotely
Final deliverable To be agreed with NNA steering group but apprentices will most likely be tasked
with delivering stakeholder engagement events and/or drafting briefing papers for
specific elements of the NNA programme.
No. of places Two

The Sponsor

Division / Team External Affairs & Strategy / Policy

Project Manager Andrew Wescott

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes Good knowledge of and interest in UK politics and current affairs, basic
required: knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods advantageous.

Learning This project will give valuable experience of and involvement in developing a
opportunities: major and influential report, through its entire cycle from setting its research
programme to publication and beyond.

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS

Civil engineering is at the heart of society but society too often is unaware of the role that
civil engineers play in their lives. This theme uses three projects to look critically at the way
ICE engages with the public and to identify ways that we can increase awareness of civil
engineers and what they do.
The first looks at ICEs Inspiration programmes to attract young people into civil engineering,
and undertakes market research with schools to understand how and where we should be
engaging.
The second looks at ICEs wider public engagement programme, #thisiscivilengineering, and
whether new communication channels and partnerships could increase its impact.
Finally, there is an opportunity to join the steering group for the ICE bicentennial celebrations
and to contribute to specific events and celebrations within that programme.
There are opportunities to cross-link to projects in the other two themes, either for case
studies to tell the story of civil engineering or to reach out to specific communities.
Project 4: Learning from schools to inspire the next generation

Description ICE volunteers engage with over 35,000 school students each year and the
institution actively supports national STEM campaigns such as Tomorrows
Engineers.
We wish to put schools at the heart of our thinking and the apprentice(s) will help
set up and manage a network of up to 10 schools, from diverse backgrounds,
who will act as critical friends for ICEs inspiration programmes.
The apprentice(s) will review the range of STEM interventions on offer to schools
and consider where ICE should focus its efforts. They will work with the President
and Education & Inspiration Panel to define a consultation programme with the
schools: both open discussions to understand their concerns and focus groups to
test specific ideas in more detail.
They will report back to ICE on their findings, with clear recommendations for
ICEs inspiration programmes and on ways of embedding market testing in its
future programmes.
Time period 12 18 months
Location London but with some UK travel.
Final deliverable A report to the Education & Inspiration Panel with recommendations on ICEs
work with schools.
No. of places 1-3

Sponsor

Division / Team Membership / Education & Inspiration

Project Manager John Laverty

Learning opportunities

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

Skills / Attributes Empathy when engaging with schools and young people.
required:
The ability to engage and manage discussion groups.
The ability to analyse and summarise a wide range of evidence.
Learning An understanding of the
opportunities:
Experience of engaging the public on issues affecting civil engineering.
Confidence in running public engagement / stakeholder events.

Project 5: Changing public perceptions of civil engineering

Description The project builds on the #thisiscivilengineering campaign and will look for
opportunities to increase public awareness and future appreciation of civil
engineering projects both through inspirational communication campaigns and
through partnerships.
The apprentice(s) will survey the range of public engagement programmes both
from ICE (What is Civil Engineering? web-pages, vlogs, bicentennial
preparations, STEM ambassador programmes, etc.) and externally and advise on
possible synergies to increase the scale and impact of those campaigns.
If time allows, the apprentice(s) will be given the opportunity to scope and pilot
new public engagement approaches identified from the survey.
Time period 12 months with the possibility to continue longer
Location UK based
Final deliverable A report with recommendations to ICE on ways to increase the impact of its
public engagement programmes in a sustainable way.
No. of places 1-3

Sponsor

Division / Team Membership / Membership Marketing

Project Manager Wendy Blundell / John Laverty

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes An interest in raising awareness of the civil engineering profession

required:
An ability to design/develop a solution (ideally digital) to support
#thisiscivilengineering brand
The ability to assess and prioritise when presented with a wide range of views
and options.
Media and communications, marketing, research, development of digital solution
Learning
opportunities:

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

Project 6: Celebrating the ICE Bicentennial

Description The apprentice will join the ICE Bicentennial project team to plan and deliver a
programme of activities to celebrate the 200 th anniversary of ICE and to promote
the benefits of civil engineering for future generations.
They will be invited to work on the delivery of one element of the celebrations so
that they can demonstrate a tangible will be given the opportunity to scope and
pilot new public engagement approaches identified from the survey.
The programme is in the early stages of development and is being led by Prof.
Robert Mair. The Steering Group will need to be a diverse group that can not
only guide but also resource activities. The Apprentices will have two areas on
which they could focus; the in-year celebratory activities and the post 2018
legacy.
The projects will be selected over the summer and will require an innovative,
flexible and task orientated team to deliver the outcomes required.
Time period 12-24 months
Location Both UK based and international
Final deliverable The bicentennial celebrations.
No. of places 2-4

Sponsor

Division / Team Knowledge

Project Manager Nathan Baker

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes Creativity. An ability to work cooperatively with others.

required:

Learning This is a unique opportunity to be part of the celebrations of a major landmark in

opportunities: civil engineering history.

INDUSTRY CHANGE PROJECTS

Industry is changing in terms of its people, its technological base and its global footprint. The
three projects in this theme identify major challenges that the profession needs to
understand and address to be relevant and competitive.
The first is fundamentally about technical innovation and the rise of digital engineering
methods in construction. It offers a chance to draw on the insights of the President, an
expert in this field, and to shape a campaign to deliver a knowledge campaign to promote
the latest innovations and developments.

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

The second looks at people and the social and cultural issues why our industry is so much
less diverse that the communities it serves. It offers a chance to work on one element of
ICEs diversity and inclusion action plan, and thereby to play a part in steering the industry
and the professions towards being a more inclusive place to work.
The third looks at the international aspect of ICEs knowledge community, and how ICEs
configurations in different countries can be best organised to create networking and
knowledge sharing opportunities worldwide. The project is relevant to the changing balance
of technical and commercial power across the world and the opportunities that create for
knowledge exchange between communities operating in different markets.
These three projects should be able to leverage work in the policy and public engagement
themes, and thereby provide a connection to the full range of ICEs work for the benefit of
society.
Project 7: Digital Engineering Opportunities for Industry Evolution

Description The landscape of civil engineering is moving towards a smarter more digital
approach. The uptake of BIM as well as the ability to obtain real time data
through smart sensors and the internet of things will allow engineers an
unprecedented level of data and information to use as well create new
collaborative opportunities.
As with any new or disruptive technology it is those that understand the
opportunities early that will benefit the most.
This piece of work therefore requires the apprentices to identify key areas of
knowledge, skills and personal development.
This would enable ICE members to get a good understanding of digital
engineering putting them ahead of the curve and adding value to them
individually as well as to their organisation.
They will then disseminate this knowledge through a program of outputs such as
webinars, blogs, workshops and reports.
The President for 2016/17 is a leading expert on digital engineering and a key
figure within the UK BIM alliance and therefore this particular project provides an
opportunity to draw on his insights. .
Time period 12 months
Location UK based, with regular meetings in London to engage with the ICE Campaigns
team.
Final deliverable A suite of blended outputs to enable engineers to understand the future
challenges and find opportunities in a changing industry.
No. of places Up to seven

Sponsor

Division / Team Knowledge / Campaigns

Project Manager Dean Lenton / Rob Curd

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes An interest in digital engineering and its impact on civil engineering

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

required: Project Management; Communication (good writing and presentation skills);
Effective time management

Learning Develop project leadership skills.

opportunities:
Gain an understanding of how digital infrastructure will change the industry
Opportunity to meet and discuss the topic with industry leading practitioners and
academics.
Gain knowledge of how to produce blogs/webinars/podcasts/training etc.

Project 8: Changing industry attitudes to diversity

Description ICE has developed a Diversity & Inclusivity Action Plan following the publication
of the 2015 Disruptive Diversity report which reviewed diversity within the
Institution and the profession. The overarching recommendation of that report
was that ICE should apply an inclusivity lens to every aspect of work undertaken.
The apprentice will joining the ICE Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR)
committee and support one element of their work programme during 2016/17,
using the framework of the WISE ten steps. In practice, this is likely to feature
data analysis to establish the baseline in ICE and the industry, interviews with
employers and members to understand the underpinning issues, a situation
analysis to understand possible blockers and business improvement levers, and
an engagement plan and good practice briefing note to bring about change.
Work in terms of gender, race and LGBT inclusion is active and ICE is keen to
look more closely at issues for those with special learning difficulties such as
dyslexia, ASD and dyspraxia in 2017.
Time period 12 months
Location UK-wide with some face to face meetings in London.
Final deliverable To be determined, but most likely a best practice note on one aspect of the
diversity and inclusion challenge.
No. of places Two

Sponsor

Division / Team Membership

Project Manager Andrew Stanley

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes An interest and /or an awareness of diversity and fair access issues.
required:
Experience/knowledge of qualitative research methods.
Good interviewing and analytical skills.
Awareness of own biases and notions of privilege.
Learning A more in-depth understanding of diversity issues.
opportunities:
Market research / social science research methodologies to be able to create
robust

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers

 An insight into the challenges of leading change.

Project 9: Internationalisation of ICE Events

Description ICE is part of a global civil engineering community with over 25,000 members
outside the UK in over 100 countries and has close relationships with employers
and engineering institutions in all the major global markets. We create networking
and knowledge sharing opportunities for civil engineers around the world.
However, the majority of events outside the UK are organised locally by ICEs 90
country representatives who have a varying level of membership base in their
country, varying degrees of capacity to plan and host events and face different
practical and technical challenges when putting on events. While each country is
different, we see that many share common issues and experiences. There is an
opportunity to build on that shared experience to create a more robust and
cohesive framework for the delivery of our networking and knowledge sharing
events internationally.
This project will explore what events are being held overseas, which events can
be cross promoted into other regions (UK and overseas) and how best practice
can be shared. Methodology will include auditing existing events, interviewing
country representatives and analysing audience participation data.
There will be opportunities to work with other ICE divisions, including but not
limited to ICE Knowledge, ICE Events and ICE UK Regions.
Time period 8-12 months
Location Global - although some face to face meetings in the UK / in-country would be
encouraged
Final deliverable Report of findings and action plan to be implemented
No. of places Two

Sponsor

Division / Team Membership / International

Project Manager Catherine Cole

Learning opportunities

Skills / Attributes Excellent communications skills

required:
Cultural awareness

Learning To be able to analyse information, identify common themes and make

opportunities: recommendations
To understand barriers to accessing information in a global context
To acquire advanced cultural awareness skills

Projects Institution of Civil Engineers