Freddie Oxspring, apprentice engineer at Davidsons Homes, talks about his start at the company.
What do you think is the most important issue facing the construction industry at the moment?
The lack of young people in construction. A few months ago, I had the brilliant opportunity with my company Davidsons to go to the HBF Building Skills: Key to Our Future parliamentary event. [The event aimed to raise awareness of skills shortage and attract future workforce by highlighting the diverse range of training opportunities and entry routes available in the homebuilding industry.]
Over 35% of the UK’s construction workforce is over the age of 50, meaning we could be losing a vast percentage of our industries workforce in a decade or so.
What was your biggest challenge during your apprenticeship?
It was probably figuring out what work I could be involved in that achieved the KSB criteria. But after some discussions with my EPA coordinator, I soon figured out what I could do to meet the criteria and complete my apprenticeship.
How do you feel the apprenticeship has prepared you for a career in the industry?
It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and required me to do different types of work and talk to numerous different people. I feel like I’m now comfortable in taking on new challenges and now I feel like I could talk to anyone.
What was your favourite project to work on over the course of your apprenticeship?
It was definitely the Davidsons Lower Bardon site [in Coalville, Leicestershire]. It’s a really large site, so you get to see every part of the residential build process.
