The standards set to shape the built environment in 2026
20 January 2026
Apprentices on parade: Asad Vatchha of BAM UK & Ireland
9 February 2026
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, DC+ is running a series of interviews with digital construction apprentices. First up is Asad Vatchha, who recently completed his apprenticeship and is now an assistant digital project solutions engineer in BAM UK & Ireland’s London business. It’s been a challenge, but one worth completing, he says.
What was it that first attracted you to digital construction?
What first drew me to digital construction was the sense of possibility: it felt like a part of the industry that was still finding its feet, with huge potential. The opportunity to influence how digital construction develops and help to deliver positive change in the industry really excited me and continues to motivate me today.
How did you find out about the apprenticeship at BAM?
I first became interested in digital construction after attending a careers event, where I spoke directly with a construction company about how they were using technology on real projects. That experience helped focus my ambitions and confirmed that construction and engineering were where I wanted to be.
Finding my apprenticeship at BAM wasn’t a lucky break – it was the result of hard work, applying for many roles, facing rejection, but persevering anyway. Apprenticeships are incredibly competitive, but my determination paid off when I was offered a place on BAM’s Digital Engineering Apprenticeship programme. I took the opportunity with both hands, approached the interview process with honesty about my strengths and areas for development, and haven’t looked back since. Securing the apprenticeship wasn’t easy, but the journey made the achievement even more rewarding.
Tell us about the project or tasks you’re working on at the moment
In my role at BAM, I support a wide variety of projects across the London region, and no two days are the same. I work across multiple projects at different RIBA stages, spanning the education, commercial, healthcare and public sectors, including both new-build and refurbishment schemes.
My tasks cover the full project lifecycle, from tender through to handover. I support and manage ISO 19650 documentation, assist design managers with coordination and clash detection, and work with our design team and supply chain to meet complex asset data requirements. This involves auditing models through Solibri and generating automated compliance reports using Power BI.
I also lead digital workshops with project teams, training them to improve technical skills and develop their digital capability. This not only enhances individual skills, but also raises the overall quality and consistency of project data. The variety of projects, sectors and tasks keeps the role exciting, while giving me the chance to have a real impact across the region.
What was the most challenging part of your apprenticeship?
The most challenging part of my apprenticeship has been managing my workload. Balancing my studies with day-to-day project responsibilities requires careful planning to ensure neither commitment is compromised. Without the support of my managers, it would have been easy to feel overwhelmed.
Apprenticeships are sometimes overlooked in favour of more traditional learning routes, but they offer enormous benefits. The combination of real-world experience and structured education has accelerated my development far faster than I could have imagined. In fact, I recently achieved a distinction grade for my coursework, and my efforts have been recognised in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025 (London Region) as well as multiple Above and Beyond Awards at BAM.
The pace and variety of the work have fast-tracked my knowledge and given me valuable experience that I wouldn’t have gained as quickly through conventional learning. It’s challenging, yes, but the rewards – both in skills and recognition – make it completely worthwhile.
Do you see yourself staying in digital construction? How would you like your career to progress?
Absolutely. I see myself staying in digital construction long term: my journey has only just begun. I plan to continue my education by working towards a Level 6 qualification in Construction and Design Management, while building a broader understanding of the industry through experience.
My ambition is to identify inefficiencies, work with innovative technologies to address them, and eventually help drive meaningful change in how the industry operates. I don’t know exactly where that path will lead, but I’m excited to find out. Alongside this, I’ll continue to champion apprenticeships wherever I can. My apprenticeship changed my life, and that’s no exaggeration.
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