A Case Study in Action: Meet the Apprentice Helping to Fix Hull’s Drypool Bridge

Ever walked or driven over a big bridge and wondered who keeps it safe and strong? Well, in Hull, one of the city’s most well-known structures, the Drypool Bridge, is getting a major fix-up. And helping make it all happen is a young apprentice who is learning the ropes on one of the biggest projects in town. To mark National Apprenticeship Week, which ran from 9–15 February, the spotlight is on Bernard Fredy Djikingue Siewe, an aspiring quantity surveyor who is playing a key part in the huge repair scheme.

So, who’s the apprentice on the bridge?

Fredy, who is 22, isn't just making the tea. He's a degree-level apprentice, which means he's studying at Sheffield Hallam University while getting real-world experience. He works with Esh Construction, the main company handling the massive Drypool Bridge repair and strengthening scheme. It’s a pretty big deal. A quantity surveyor is a bit like a project’s money manager. They figure out how much material is needed, how much things will cost, and make sure everything stays on budget. Think of building something massive with LEGO – the quantity surveyor is the person who makes sure there are enough bricks and that there's enough pocket money to pay for them all.

His interest in this line of work started at home. His dad is a bricklayer, so he grew up around the world of construction. Add that to the fact that he was good at A-level maths, and it all clicked into place. This path gave him the confidence to apply for apprenticeships, and it's clear he made the right choice. Before joining the Drypool Bridge team in July 2025, Fredy had already worked on some impressive projects. This includes the Sheffield Road active travel scheme, a brand-new roundabout in Scunthorpe, and the repair of the historic Abbeydale Dam. Now, he’s part of the team working on one of the most important bridges in Hull, a vital piece of the city's transport infrastructure.

Tackling the challenges of a Hull landmark

Working on a structure like the Drypool Bridge isn't straightforward. This isn't just any old bridge; it’s an iconic part of Hull that connects Clarence Street to Alfred Gelder Street. The repair scheme is complex, involving lots of different specialists and tasks. As an apprentice, Fredy has been given real responsibilities, like measuring huge bags of silt and checking the work done by other companies, known as sub-contractors. It’s a hands-on role where he’s learning directly from the experts at Esh Construction.

Of course, a job like this comes with its own set of challenges. For Fredy, one of the toughest parts was getting his head around how complicated the bridge actually is. Understanding the intricate steelworks and figuring out the roles of all the different sub-contractors was a steep learning curve. But he tackled it in the best way possible. Talking about the experience, Fredy said: “Each day is different, that’s why I like the job role so much.”

He explained how he dealt with the initial difficulties: “Understanding the complexity of the structure was my biggest challenge at first, as well as understanding steelworks and the types of sub-contractors we use. However, I’ve overcome this by asking questions and understanding that I am here to learn most importantly. So, I’m just taking it upon myself to ask questions whenever I can. This will increase my knowledge and understanding overall.”

Why apprenticeships are a big deal

National Apprenticeship Week, which was celebrated on 12 February 2026 as part of the wider week, is all about showing how valuable apprenticeships are. They offer a fantastic way for people to learn practical skills while studying, which is exactly what Fredy is doing. This process of on-the-job skills development is essential for training the next generation of experts who will build and maintain our country's infrastructure. For Fredy, facing his challenges head-on has paid off. One of his proudest moments is being able to contribute his own knowledge during important site meetings.

He said: “Despite the challenges, some of my proudest moments have been when I use my knowledge to contribute to site meetings. This has helped build my confidence significantly.” The experience has been hugely positive. He added: “I’m really proud to be working on such an important structure. It’s a key access point to the city centre for the people of Hull, so its repair will help the whole community.” Looking ahead, his goal is clear. “My hopes for the future are to utilise the knowledge and skills I have picked up from my peers and academic work to better my career and progress my route to becoming a qualified quantity surveyor.” When asked to sum up his apprenticeship in three words, Fredy called it “enhancing, supportive, and most of all enjoyable.”

Keeping Hull moving for the future

The work happening at the Drypool Bridge is more than just a simple repair; it’s about making sure this essential route remains safe and reliable for years to come. The major strengthening scheme will ensure the bridge can handle modern transport needs. Projects like this are vital for keeping cities like Hull running smoothly. Councillor Mark Ieronimo, who is in charge of transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, highlighted the importance of having skilled people like Fredy working on these projects.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo said: “It is fantastic to see people like Fredy developing their careers through apprenticeships and making such a positive impact on the city’s infrastructure. The work Fredy and Esh Construction continue to deliver on behalf of the council ensures we repair Drypool Bridge to the highest standard, keeping Hull moving for future generations.” The story of this apprentice shows that building a career and helping your community can go hand in hand. For more details on the important work being done on the city’s bridges, people can visit the Travel Hull website.