With a shortage of construction skills and an ageing workforce, developing talent is vitally important to companies who want to ensure they have a bright future. So, how are local developers and young people making the most of apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships have always been a great way to learn new skills and develop the next generation of talent the local construction industry needs. Over the years, apprenticeships have changed to offer a fantastic way to build a whole range of careers in the industry. With opportunities to gain qualifications all the way from entry to degree level, apprenticeships are creating skilled joiners, electricians, surveyors, site managers and much more.
Local Construction Company, Robert Woodhead Limited are making the most of what apprenticeships can offer. It has been working in partnership with Chesterfield College to develop the workforce and inspire the next generation for many years. The company’s successful apprenticeship scheme, which is designed to develop professional and technical services talent into the business, has continued throughout the pandemic. Apprenticeships help the company to ensure it will have the skills it needs for recovery.
Two of their apprentices, James Bracegirdle, 19 and Harvey Gregory, 18, successfully completed their technical apprenticeships in August 2020 and are now developing their careers as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor and a Trainee Site Manager. The two year apprenticeship gave them a unique insight into the industry and helped them to explore where they wanted to develop their careers. Both of them say their apprenticeship has given them a fantastic advantage and feel the mix of work-based learning and college tuition was the perfect way to get the skills they needed.
We found out more about their experiences.
James said;
“When I dropped out of sixth form I was worried that I would be behind but actually I feel like my apprenticeship has got me further ahead in my career now. It really gave me the best of both worlds I was in a working environment learning on the job but one day a week I was back at college with a bunch of friends, and I had money in my back pocket too.
A good apprenticeship with a good company can transform your idea of career. I’d recommend anyone who doesn’t want to spend five days a week in a classroom to explore what is out there for them.”
Harvey told us;
“My apprenticeship has helped me massively when it comes to building my career. The knowledge I have gained, I couldn’t have got anywhere else. The active experience of seeing it and doing it is so valuable. I had the chance to experience lots of different aspects of the business and it really helped me to work out what I want to do.
“I am only 18 and now I am learning about Site Management on the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield which is unusual for someone my age. I wouldn’t be in this position without my apprenticeship and everyone at Woodhead who have supported me along the way.”
Read more about Harvey and James’ apprenticeship journey here.
Matt Bust, Business Support Manager at Robert Woodhead said;
“Working with local colleges is vital for our business to ensure we build the future workforce we need. We work in partnership with Chesterfield College and invest time to ensure students get employer interaction and are excited about a future in construction, as well as create apprenticeship opportunities. I am a former student there and I know how important the work experience and support I received was, so I like to replicate that.
“Together with the college, we have designed our apprenticeship programme to be the best balance of experience and learning. Harvey and James are great examples of how successful apprenticeships can be and I look forward to seeing them have a bright future.”
Gavin Varley, director of engineering and construction at Chesterfield College said;
“Construction skills are in demand and there is a real commitment from many employers in our area to support the next generation of the construction industry workforce. It is a fantastic time for school leavers, or anyone keen to develop or change career, to find out what apprenticeships can offer. Working in partnership with employers like Robert Woodhead, we are determined to equip the people of Derbyshire to build their careers and their futures.”