Trainee Civil Engineering Assistant Opportunity
- Posted by Fearghal Quinn
- Posted in Careers Blog
Are you interested in a career pathway in the civil engineering profession? Are you passionate about a career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS)? The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Skills Academy will equip successful candidates with the necessary skills to pursue a fulfilling career in the NICS.
Candidates selected to join the programme will get an introduction to Civil Engineering, learn and develop skills and knowledge across surveying, contract management, construction, traffic management, health & safety, personal development, teamwork and collaboration, communication and IT essentials.
Participants will be supported through the first steps of and have an opportunity to gain industry recognised accredited qualifications in:
✔ National Highways Sector Scheme 12D, Lantra Sector Scheme – valid for 5 years.
✔ CSR (Construction Skills Register) – Health & Safety training – valid for 4 years from the date of training completion.
✔ OCN NI Level 2 Award in Vocational Skills Opportunity. While successful completion of the Skills Academy training course is not a guarantee of gaining employment, if you successfully complete the Skills Academy training course, you will be invited to a job interview for a post at Trainee Civil Engineering Assistant (TCEA) level in the NICS.
TCEAs are entry level positions that offer a civil engineering career pathway opportunity. You will have the opportunity to develop as you will be studying part time on a fully-funded and supported Pearson BTEC National Diploma in Civil Engineering 2-year programme at college while gaining on-the-job experience working within DfI.
Following successful completion of the Pearson BTEC National Diploma in Civil Engineering 2-year programme and satisfactory service, you will automatically progress to TG (Technical
Grade).
TCEA posts exist across Northern Ireland and the main job activities will depend on which role you are assigned. Examples of the roles available are: • Road Inspector; • Contract Manager/Site Supervisor; • Private Street Inspector; and • Laboratory Technician.
To be eligible to apply for the TCEA Skills Academy you must:
- Have at least 3 GCSEs including a minimum of Grade B in Maths, Grade C in English (or Level 2 Essential Skills in place of GSCE English), Grade C in a Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Double Award Science); and
- Access to a form of transport – the successful candidate will be required to travel on official duty frequently and regularly throughout Northern Ireland. This includes travel to remote and rural locations, often inaccessible by public transport. It is therefore essential that applicants have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full.
Please note: Successful candidates will be asked to provide their qualifications by 5pm on Tuesday 5th May 2026. Failure to provide this will result in your application being withdrawn.
