National Apprentice Week 2023
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we caught up with Archie Smart, Ben Bullus, Jason Bullus & Harry Truelove to see how they’re getting on with their apprenticeships.
Every year we have a number of employees enrol onto both site and office based apprenticeship courses. Our apprentices have a dedicated Learning and Development Co-ordinator and also a mentor that they work closely with.
As a company who values their employees, we see the importance of investing in our people and their development. Supporting specialist trades and craftspeople aligns with our visions and values which highlights quality & craft at the heart of our business.
Archie Smart – Carpentry Apprentice
Q1. What do you enjoy the most about working in construction?
Being outdoors and always moving around physical doing something and seeing progression move forwards
Q2. What has been the most difficult part of being an apprentice and how did you overcome those challenges?
Stating your opinion showing people different methods but showing people your view visually helps
Q3. What would you say to anyone considering getting into the industry?
Go for it. There is always work, its all different, your doing something different every day
Q4. What is a common misconception about working in construction?
Its messy/ dirty when its all clean and organised
Q5. How has working in construction bettered your life?
In everyway physical, mentally, socially, financially
Ben Bullus – Plastering Apprentice
Q1. What do you enjoy the most about working in construction?
The thing I enjoy most is learning new skills. Also meeting new people.
Q2. What has been the most difficult part of being an apprentice and how did you overcome those challenges?
The most difficult thing was to start actually doing tasks on my own. I overcame it by just gaining the confidence with the help of my colleagues; Mike and Lee
Q3. What would you say to anyone considering getting into the industry?
I would say definitely give it a go there is so many opportunities for you to learn new skills and just helps with confidence
Q4. What is a common misconception about working in construction?
I feel like everyone starting off thinks that everyone is just mean and will just not help you if you asked for it but that’s definitely not correct, it’s the opposite. Everyone is friendly and always wanting to help you out.
Q5. How has working in construction bettered your life?
I would say it’s helped my confidence my communication skills and just overall feel better knowing what I have achieved on site.
Harry Truelove – Carpentry Apprentice
Q1. What do you enjoy the most about working in construction?
Being on my feet all the time and working outside.
Q2. What has been the most difficult part of being an apprentice and how did you overcome those challenges?
There was a period of time where my previous college assessor had left so I didn’t have anyone visit me for a little while from a educational perspective before but other than that it has been a very positive experience.
Q3. What would you say to anyone considering getting into the industry?
Go for it! Working outside with people I now consider friends and creating work which I am proud of is great!
Q4. What is a common misconception about working in construction?
I feel like a common misconception is that you only go into construction if you are not academic. I would disagree with this, construction roles use a lot of varied skills including maths and technical skills.
Q5. How has working in construction bettered your life?
It’s made me more active as I’m on my feet a lot more and moving around which I’d prefer to an office job.
Jason Bullus – Bricklaying Apprentice
Q1. What do you enjoy the most about working in construction?
It’s a great hands on experience. I’ve made great friends, met new people and I’m learning new skill sets from different sites. I also enjoy watching a project grow throughout the it’s lifecycle.
Q2. What has been the most difficult part of being an apprentice and how did you overcome those challenges?
I found it challenging trying to pick which path to go down. I tested out different trades to see which was right for me. I eventually settled on Bricklaying.
Q3. What would you say to anyone considering getting into the industry?
I would recommend having good people skills as you’ll be with lots of different people you’ll need to be able to communicate well. You also have to be ok with getting hands on and not mind the changing British weather.
Q4. What is a common misconception about working in construction?
People think it’s a low skill job and anyone can do it. I don’t think this is true. There is a lot of problem sorting, hands on skills and math solving.
Q5. How has working in construction bettered your life?
I’ve worked on my peoples skills and find it a lot easier to talk to people I’ve only just met. Also I can’t walk past a house without looking how the building was made and the skills needed to make it. I’ve also learned a number of new skills I can use in and out of the workplace.
