To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (7-14 February), CM asked apprentices from across the construction industry why they have chosen a career in the sector.
Kyle Marzan, estimating apprentice, Wates
“I was instantly drawn to the great benefits that apprenticeships offer – I can gain my qualification and experience at the same time. The fact that I would have no student debt was definitely a win for me!
“What I love about it is working in a fast-paced environment where everything is developing and progressing very quickly. I love the variety – every project and every day is different.
“What I would say to someone thinking about a career in the built environment is to research all the different career paths that the industry has to offer and to gain as much experience in a variety of different areas as this will help you find where you fit best and what you most enjoy. But most of all, when deciding on your career path it is fundamentally important to enjoy what you do.
“Work experience is also very valuable – you will never know if your chosen career path is right for you until you have tried it.
“I enjoy being able to work with a range of different people and in different environments, as well having my own responsibilities which make me feel part of a team and that I am making an impact. I am focused on progressing my career forward from an apprentice estimator to an estimating manager.”
Alex O’Shea, apprentice estimator, Sir Robert McAlpine
“I have always wanted to go into a professional workplace, rather than doing the typical university experience. An apprenticeship is a great way of both learning about different career paths within the industry while getting stuck in with work.
“Sir Robert McAlpine came across as very welcoming and open and the company is synonymous with building some significant landmarks. It seemed like a perfect place to both work and achieve my degree. The best thing about working here is the knowledge you can draw from a great team of people.
“My day consists of lots of commercial meetings, lots of collaborative work, pricing aspects of construction, interfacing with subcontractors, preparing works packages.
“I have been fortunate to work on numerous projects, some of which include state-of-the-art university accommodation to highly sophisticated research and science facilities.
“I am lucky to have a chance to work in a renowned company that has a family-oriented environment and I really do feel like I am learning about construction at its finest and getting to work on some exciting projects.”
Lauren Cooper, apprentice civil engineer, Kier Highways
“I’m currently an apprentice civil engineer at Kier, working within its Highways business in the structures team.
“I joined Kier in November 2020, straight after my GCSEs. I chose an apprenticeship as I saw it as a great opportunity to carry on with my education, while gaining valuable experience within the industry. As part of my apprenticeship, I attend The Sheffield College, where I’m completing my BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering. Last year, I was incredibly proud to win the Chair of Governors’ Choice Award as part of the Apprenticeship Celebration Awards.
“I help with completing design packs. I’ve helped out on various different types of projects which involved footbridges, gantries and foundations.
“I have been given so many opportunities, including participating in events. I was really proud to attend Highways UK, I have participated in virtual careers events with schoolchildren and I’m also a member of institutions such as ICE and Women in Transport, as I really want to encourage others to join our industry.”
“Once I have finished my apprenticeship, I hope to gain my EngTech qualification and then start my degree, with the goal to be a chartered engineer.”
Ellis Moore, apprentice project manager, Gleeds
“I decided to undertake an apprenticeship with Gleeds as I much preferred the idea of learning on the job. I also discovered that Gleeds had many experienced project managers who would be more than happy to mentor me. The motto at Gleeds is that no question is a silly question, and everyone is willing to help, no matter their position.
“I have been very lucky to have worked on some multi-million-pound public health projects in my three years at Gleeds. Health is an area of expertise at the Cardiff office and one I’m hoping to develop during my career.
“My main role across these schemes has been to assist the lead project manager with their duties to deliver a project, including tasks such as managing design and construction process under different frameworks (D4L, Scape and SBS), alongside a quantity surveyor, tracking and managing a project contingency budget, and assigning project risk scoring and working with project teams to mitigate those risks.
“My five-year plan is to finish my degree, gain further experience and to receive chartership with CIOB.
"Past this, I am aiming to become a fully developed project manager with a wide range of experience in health, education and leisure.”
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Wonderful to welcome such an impressive group of young people – and to underline the importance and relevance of the apprenticeship route into our industry. Promoting this can be game changing for so many who think that the only way to a professional role in construction is via university.