Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
I'm Matthew Johnston and I am an apprentice fire engineer at Arup. I joined Arup in 2021 after completing my A‑levels, becoming part of the ‘trailblazer’ group which is the first cohort of fire engineering degree apprentices in the UK. I am now in my final year of study at Birmingham City University (BCU).
Describe your apprenticeship role within your current workplace and describe what a typical working day looks like.
As an apprentice engineer at Arup, I have had the opportunity to be involved in several interesting, high-profile projects in many different industries.
My role focuses on supporting the delivery of fire safety solutions across a wide range of projects across the built environment. I work under the guidance of experienced fire engineers, contributing to the development of for example, fire strategies, technical reports, and design assessments. I also regularly liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, with communication being a key part of my role.
My apprenticeship is run on a block release schedule, meaning every few months I travel to Birmingham to complete my university training for two weeks at a time. Following each block release, I will be given coursework/exams to complete during my working hours.
What were your main reasons for choosing an apprenticeship over other educational or career routes (e.g., university, full-time work)?
I’ll admit that the financial advantages of an apprenticeship compared to the traditional university route were a major factor in my decision. However, once I began working for Arup, I quickly realised that the value of an apprenticeship goes far beyond that.
The opportunity to gain hands‑on experience while working alongside some of the leading experts in the fire engineering industry has been the most significant part of my development. Being surrounded by highly experienced engineers has accelerated my learning in a way that wouldn’t have been possible in a purely academic setting. Their guidance has helped me build confidence, deepen my technical understanding, and develop the professional skills needed to contribute effectively to real projects.
What specific skills or knowledge do you feel you’ve gained through your apprenticeship that will help you in your long-term career?
The biggest gains I’ve made so far have been in my soft skills; these are the things that shape how I work, communicate, and contribute to my team. These are skills which I may not have picked up as quickly on a traditional engineering career path outside of a professional workplace.
My apprenticeship at Arup has been a platform for me to pursuit specific areas of interest and explore my role as a fire engineer. As an engineer with a particular interest in infrastructure projects, I have been given the opportunity to work on a variety of large-scale rail projects and develop in this area, this was recognised in my shortlisting for Young Rail Professional’s Apprentice of the year 2025.
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering doing an apprenticeship?
The most important thing is to come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn from everyone around you. You’ll be working with people who have years of experience, and taking the initiative to ask questions and get involved will help you grow much faster.
Be proactive, put your hand up for tasks, show interest in different types of projects, and take responsibility for your own development. The more you put into an apprenticeship, the more you’ll get out of it.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your apprenticeship role?
As someone who transitioned straight from school into a professional environment, I’ve found that my apprenticeship comes with a few unique challenges - but they’ve also been some of the most valuable parts of my development.
In the early stages of my apprenticeship, it sometimes felt like I had ‘jumped in at the deep end’. However, this was beneficial as it enabled me to develop quickly in a challenging yet supportive environment.
It can be challenging to get used to managing and balancing my workload with university work, however I’ve found that developing good routines, staying organised, and asking for support when I need it has made a huge difference. Over time, it becomes much easier to handle both responsibilities confidently and keep on top of everything.
What do you find most enjoyable about your apprenticeship role?
I enjoy the variety and the sense of progression that comes with being involved in real projects from such an early stage in my career. Every week brings something different; new challenges, new problems to solve, and new opportunities to learn from the people around me.
As I move into the final year of my apprenticeship, some of the projects which I started working on when I joined Arup are moving to completion. It is very rewarding to see the physical impact of my work when I walk around Manchester or get the train along a line which I have completed work on.
Is there a great professional achievement or high-profile accomplishment that you would like to tell us about in your apprenticeship role?
Earlier this year, I was shortlisted for the Young Rail Professionals’ Apprentice Engineer of the Year, which was an incredibly proud moment for me. It gave me the opportunity to represent the fire engineering industry at a national level and highlight the work of the ‘trailblazer’ group. Given my passion for infrastructure fire engineering, being recognised in this way felt especially meaningful.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
When I was younger, I always thought I would be a firefighter like my dad. One of my A-levels was in Design and Technology and during this course I found it really satisfying taking an idea from a design to a prototype/model and the problem solving and development which comes with this.
When I saw my job being advertised, like many people I didn’t have much awareness of the role of a fire engineer. Having done some research into what a fire engineer does and based on my previous experiences above, I quickly realised that a career in fire engineering was for me.
What contributed to your decision to gain IFE Student membership?
My decision was influenced by the opportunity to support my academic studies with professional learning resources, access to CPD materials, and networking opportunities. Being a Student member also allows me to build professional awareness and demonstrate my commitment to developing a career in the fire sector with the eventual goal of achieving IEng or CEng registration.
How has being an IFE student member supported your development during your apprenticeship? (e.g., resources, networking, learning opportunities)
It has given me the opportunity to access CPD tools and content, including the IFE CPD hub. I have also been given the chance to visit in-person events, one such CPD was on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the University of Lancashire. It was extremely informative and had useful applications to my day-to-day role.
Would you recommend joining the IFE as a Student member to others? If so, why?
Yes, it provides valuable access to professional resources, CPD, and networking opportunities. Gaining a Student membership helps make the first step to build professional credibility, and connect with the wider fire engineering community, which is beneficial for both personal development and future career progression.