Mapping my way as Momentum’s first transport planning apprentice.  

The first time I came across transport planning was when I spotted the advert for this apprenticeship. Honestly – I had no real idea what the job involved! What grabbed me, though, was the chance to work on projects that make a real, tangible impact on people’s everyday lives. That felt exciting and meaningful.  

Fast-forward almost three months, and I’m now well into my role as Momentum’s first transport planning apprentice. In that short time I’ve already been involved in a range of projects and thrown into all sorts of tasks. The moment things really started to ‘click’ for me was while working on Lion House – a refurbishment project in Camden transforming an office into a hotel. I was given responsibility for completing a transport spec, running a trip generation and writing up a transport statement. Considering I had no clue what any of those things were three months earlier, it was definitely a proud moment! It wasn’t perfect (and yes, I asked a lot of questions), but it was the first time I felt myself properly understanding the work.  

I’m currently working on projects like Tower Bridge and Riyadh Stadium, and I’m especially excited about Puddle Dock – a masterplan regeneration on a site I pass practically every day on my commute. One of the big things I’ve learned so far is that no two projects are ever the same, and that’s something I love. The built environment is constantly shifting, and there’s a growing push for sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity. Being part of that change – even in a small way – feels important.  

Why Momentum?  

One of the main things that drew me to Momentum was the people-first approach and the variety of projects I’d get to work on. The company genuinely prides itself on those values, and now that I’m here, I can honestly say it shows, not just in the work we deliver but in how we do so.  

Before my interview, I reached out to Alex Henderson and Wayne Taylor (at Momentum) to ask about their experience at the company and any advice they had for me. What really stood out was how open, friendly and willing they were to help. As someone who had just finished A-levels and was taking their first steps into the industry, having that kind of support mattered a lot.  

And that support hasn’t stopped. Everyone here is happy to answer my questions and, as I’ve learned, asking questions is basically a core part of being an apprentice. I work with people across the company, and the culture is genuinely collaborative and encouraging. I’ve got my supervisor, my buddy, my POD group, and regular socials to get involved in. There are also commitments outside project work, like our monthly food bank deliveries, which really show the company’s values in action.  

Learning on the job (and at uni!). 

One of the biggest appeals of the degree apprenticeship route was having experienced professionals around me who I can learn best practices from in real time. I’ve found the balance of learning and applying what I’ve learned to be quite organic. It keeps me motivated and helps things stick.  

I’m also getting more comfortable with not understanding everything straight away. It takes time, I’m still learning, and that’s okay.  

Another thing I’ve noticed is how professional development at Momentum is something that’s really supported and encouraged . There are frequent knowledge shares, the AI Working Group, PEM workshops, the Sustainability Working Group… there is always something happening and there’s a real push to improve, personally and collectively.  

Uni work fits around everything pretty well too. I get one dedicated day a week to work on assignments, and during my weekly catch-ups with my supervisor, we’ll talk about anything interesting I’ve learned at uni and how it links back to the work I’m doing. It’s a genuine, open and ongoing conversation that also gives me to the opportunity to reflect.  

Looking ahead.  

It’s still early days for me, but I already feel like I’ve learned so much — not just about transport planning, but about how I like to work, ask questions and grow. I’m excited about what’s ahead, the projects I’ll get to contribute to and the team I get to learn from.  

If this is what the first three months look like, I can’t wait to see where the next few years take me.