When Fortune Ebeleghe joined Whitfield Consulting Services (WCS) in September 2025, he became the first participant in our new apprenticeship programme – an initiative that reflects our commitment to making engineering more accessible and addressing the industry’s growing skills shortage.
Fortune spends one day each week studying at South Thames College and four days at WCS. Just one month in, he is already seeing how his interest in mathematics, problem-solving and practical learning fits within the engineering environment.
“I’ve always enjoyed problem solving,” he said. “Engineering challenges you to think in different ways and find practical answers to real-world issues. I liked maths at school, but I wanted to apply it rather than stay in theory. Civil engineering felt like the right way to do that.”
Early interest in building and design
Fortune traces his interest in engineering back to primary school. “I loved building things,” he said. “We used to do activities with blocks and Lego, and I always wanted to see how things could fit together.”
That early curiosity for how structures come together stayed with him through secondary school, where he began to explore how mathematics, design and construction connect. “I realised I wanted to be part of creating things you can actually see and use,” he said.
A hands-on approach to learning
This balance of college study and practical work allows him to link classroom theory with professional practice.
“At college we cover the technical side – maths, health and safety, AutoCAD, planning processes,” he explained. “Then I come into the office and see how those ideas are used. Sometimes we’ll learn something at college that I’ve already come across at work, so it gives me a head start.”
He first discovered WCS while researching apprenticeship opportunities. “What stood out were the company’s values,” he said. “Collaboration and communication are really important to me. Working here gives me the chance to build those skills.”
Learning within the team
Fortune works closely with his line manager, Shane Govender, and with Celine Mahfoud from the civil and structural team. “Everyone works extremely hard and communicates clearly,” he said. “I’ve been joining resource meetings and catch-ups each week. Even if I don’t understand everything yet, it’s motivating to listen and learn how engineers discuss and solve things.”
His early work has included developing calculation spreadsheets to support design activities. “I really enjoyed calculating concrete mixtures and the ratios between materials,” he said. “It brought together the maths and materials side of what I like.”
Exploring engineering pathways
Fortune has shown a growing interest in Power and Energy and railway projects. “Those areas really appeal to me,” he said. “I’m learning from the teams and starting to understand how engineering decisions affect wider systems.”
He is already looking ahead. “I want to become a chartered engineer and eventually lead projects,” he said. “Watching how members of our leadership team, including Dr Natalja Petkune and Asa Whitfield, manage and coordinate teams has been inspiring.”
Learning styles and real-world experience
Fortune believes that apprenticeships offer a strong route into engineering, particularly for people who prefer to learn through doing. “In university, you can be reading thousands of pages,” he said. “It’s important knowledge, but you don’t get as much real-world experience. Everyone learns differently. For me, I learn best when I’m applying what I know straight away.”
He added, “An apprenticeship helps you find skills you didn’t know you had. You’re learning and contributing at the same time. For some people, the university route is right, but others learn better by being in a professional environment. Both paths can lead to the same goal.”
A message to other school leavers
Fortune encourages other young people to think carefully about how they learn and what motivates them: “If you’re someone who likes to see results and learn by doing, I’d recommend an apprenticeship. It gives you experience and confidence from the start.”
“At the end of the day, whether you do really well in an apprenticeship or at university, you’ll most likely reach the same stage,” he said. “The difference is how you get there.”
Building a foundation for the future
Reflecting on his first month at WCS, Fortune said the experience has confirmed his choice. “It’s been really positive,” he said. “I’m learning every day and surrounded by people who want to help me grow. That’s exactly what I hoped for when I applied.”
Continuing to develop future engineers
WCS continues to strengthen its partnerships with colleges, schools, and industry programmes to expand pathways into engineering. Apprentices like Fortune are helping to demonstrate how early-career learning can support long-term capability within the infrastructure sector.
Asa Whitfield, Managing Director at WCS, reflects, “Our ambition is to inspire the next generation to join our profession. We aim to make engineering accessible to everyone, to share knowledge and experience, and to create a more sustainable world with the help of younger generations.”
Click here to discover more about how we invest in people from the start of their engineering careers through to senior leadership roles.
If you’re looking for a dependable partner for your next Rail or Power & Energy project, contact WCS to see how we can support you. Get in touch.
