- Highways
- 14 Nov 2025
August 2025
This summer, Jacob Hattersley (University of Nottingham) and Jacob Dore (University of Bristol) joined M Group Highways for placements, with both describing the experience as eye opening. The pair worked on Botley Bypass - a 1.8 km new‑build road. The scheme will result in a bridge over the River Hamble, a new roundabout and helped improve footways and cycleways. This provided an immersive launchpad for the two early‑career engineers.
With the help of our people, both Jacobs productively bridged the gap between classroom theory and live delivery. Their responsibilities ranged from drainage, carriageway and earthworks support to producing as‑builts in AutoCAD Civil 3D, setting out with GPS/total station equipment and supporting piling operations.
Both had some learning curves - Dore’s first day on piling required rapid adaptation with limited marking information. He quickly learned to use ‘spray and a cut template’, while Hattersley took ownership of the QA tracker, liaising directly with the client and survey teams. Their practical contributions were quickly adopted, with the QA tracker system used to log, track and close out quality and safety items, easing survey workload and drawings being used to inform on‑site construction.
Other regular duties included producing civil 3D drawings, establishing control points through surveying and setting‑out, and using site safety measures like inspections, spill‑kit checks and scan zones.
The wider team praised the early career students for their ambition, openness to learn new things and willingness to take on responsibility.
The placements delivered measurable professional growth for each student, who said they developed improved CAD proficiency, hands‑on surveying experience, and stronger confidence working with site teams.
The pair offered some future students some advice:
“Be proactive and ask questions. I initially worried I’d be a burden, but from day one I was treated as part of the team,” Hattersley reflected. Dore’s advice was simple: “Don’t be afraid to ask if you can help — even small tasks matter.”
Sean Murphy, Regional Director at M Group Highways, highlighted the benefits of placement, graduate and apprenticeship opportunities:
“By welcoming placement students into our teams, we’re creating opportunities for fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, while supporting the development of future talent in civil engineering and infrastructure. These placements create a culture of learning and inclusion, where students gain hands-on experience in both site and design environments. We’re delighted to confirm that both have secured further positions with M Group upon completion of their degrees. Their contributions have been highly valued, and we look forward to supporting their development as they take the next steps in their careers with our business.”
The Botley Bypass placements demonstrated how structured, supported on‑site experience accelerates technical skill, professional confidence and career clarity and how student contributions can provide value to our infrastructure projects.
