Young people who have been able to access higher-level apprenticeships, thanks to past CYT Pathways programmes are now playing an ongoing role as a CYT Early Careers Ambassadors. This involves supporting the current Pathways programme in a voluntary capacity and engaging directly with young people considering their options after school.
Abigail’s story: becoming at rising star at SRM
Abigail (pictured above, far left), from Barking & Dagenham, joined CYT’s Pathways programme with a limited idea of the career she wanted to pursue after school. By engaging with relatable and inspiring volunteers from the built environment, Abigail discovered an interest in quantity surveying.
The Pathways programme supported her in exploring this career route through a range of immersive experiences, refining her employability skills for the recruitment process, and building relationships with employers offering real-world opportunities such as apprenticeships. This included connecting her to a recruitment event with Sir Robert McAlpine, which was offering higher-level apprenticeships in quantity surveying. Having aced the recruitment process, Abigail was offered a Level 6 QS apprenticeship at the firm.
Over two years later, Abigail is thriving in her role, continuing to develop her technical knowledge, confidence, and long-term career ambitions within the construction industry. She credits the transferrable skills she developed through Pathways – particularly around communication, professionalism and interview preparation – as key to her sustained success in the workplace. Her progress and commitment have been recognised through a Rising Star Award at an industry gala.
As an Early Careers Ambassador with CYT Abigail often returns to her former school in Barking & Dagenham to speak to current students.
Martell’s story: becoming a site manager at Hill Group
Martell (pictured above centre), from Southwark, was lacking in confidence with a limited understanding of the career opportunities available to him.
Through the programme, he took part in site visits with local built environment employers, experiencing roles like site management and project controls up close. He was helped to build relationships with employers through work experience placements, employer insight days and mock assessment centres, where he began building valuable professional connections.
With ongoing support from his CYT coach, Martell made a series of high-quality apprenticeship applications and was rewarded for his persistence by securing a Level 6 Site Management apprenticeship with Hill Group.
Martell now plays an active role as a CYT Early Careers Ambassador, sharing his insights in CYT steering group meetings, and has volunteered at his former school in Southwark.
Victoria’s story: SRM sustainability apprentice
Victoria (pictured above far right) took part in CYT’s three-day Building Future Skills programme, which gave her an experiential taste of career pathways in the sector. With an existing passion for green skills, Victoria became determined to pursue an apprenticeship in sustainability. Through a CYT recruitment event, Victoria was introduced to a Level 6 apprenticeship in sustainability with Sir Robert McAlpine, going on to excel in the interview process and secure the role.
Victoria is thriving in her apprenticeship and credits CYT’s Pathways programme with preparing her for the professional world of work. As a CYT Early Careers Ambassador, she has supported activities such as networking events, hands-on team challenges, as well as a parent engagement session where she positively challenged parents’ typically negative perceptions of apprenticeships. As a volunteer, she also contributed to a recent Building Future Skills programme
