Work skills: Making apprenticeships work

Khia Bernard, 20, has lived in Newham her whole life. Like many young people after leaving school she wasn’t clear on what she wanted to do. 

Having lived locally and seen the development of Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Khia says, “I just knew I wanted to have a more fulfilling job and where I could be part of something bigger.”

It was then that Khia got a job as a Facilities Management apprentice with Engie, a leading energy and services company. Khia’s enjoyed her role working at the Park as it is exciting to see, “how companies and buildings function. There many different avenues that you can explore as a career.”

For Engie, recruiting local people like Khia makes business sense as well as being the right thing to do. “Investing in apprenticeships brings so many business benefits, and also shows our commitment to making a positive impact on the places we operate”, said Adam Mitton, Operating Unit.

Ahad started off his Secondary school education at Loxford School of Science and Technology in Seven Kings, moving to Tower Hamlets with his family during year 9.  After his GCSE’s he was looking to pursue a career as a Pharmacist so attended Tower Hamlets College in Poplar for two years to gain a BTEC Level 3 in Applied Science.

It was through a conversation with an Uncle who made him aware of the apprenticeship option plus a friend who was already working as an apprentice and through them he heard about the opportunities with his local council Tower Hamlets. He’d already decided that pharmacy wasn’t for him so registered with Work Path, the council’s job brokerage team who helped him apply for a number of apprenticeship roles.  Through this Ahad secured a level 2 Business Administration opportunity with the Fostering Team which he completed in September 2018.

Once Ahad’s contract was finished at the Council through Work Path he found out about the level 3 Business Administration opportunity with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) the organisation responsible for the development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park post the 2012 games.  His experience at level 2 with the Fostering team really helped him secure his level 3 apprenticeship with LLDC and although a much smaller team than the Council, helped him adapt quickly to his new surroundings.

In Ahad’s words “Sometimes work can be very busy which is a good thing because it keeps me focused and always on the ball. The staff here at LLDC are very nice and welcoming and felt at home and at ease very quickly. It is great to be a part of the work that LLDC are doing for Stratford and East London.”

“Currently I am on Business Admin level 3 apprenticeship which could open a variety of doors for me. I would like to pursue a career in project management and believe my apprenticeship and the skills and experience I am learning here will help me take this career path. Apprenticeships are great for people for all ages who wish to get that first step on the ladder in a career they are interested in. It is a great way to work your way up and there is a level of satisfaction in doing this. My apprenticeships have been a great tool in developing myself as a person and being able to learn on the job and studying towards a qualification is a win-win.”

Craig Robinson, 25, tried university twice, worked in retail, call centres, warehouses until discovering the work of a Quantity Surveyor through a two-week work placement with Mace which he really enjoyed.  He started his role as a Commercial Apprentice with Mace in September 2016, attending university one day a week and working on different Mace projects across London for the other four days. Craig has been based at the East Bank development on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park since September 2019 and will be based there for the foreseeable future.

"I learn something new every day. The theory I learn as part of my university studies helps to cement the practise behind the tasks I complete on a day-to-day basis in my job role. To anyone thinking of applying to become an apprentice, I would say go for it and don’t worry about your lack of experience in the industry.  It’s like learning a new language, but you will be surrounded by colleagues with years of experience to guide you in your role."

"In the future once I am fully qualified as a QS, I’d like to get the opportunity to live and work abroad on high profile projects that I can look back on with pride whilst I continue to develop my career in a job that is different every day; challenging, engaging and fun."

Jone Da Cruz is now starting his final year of a BSc in Construction Management at South Bank University as part of his  site manager apprenticeship with Taylor Wimpey at the Chobham Manor residential development next to Lee Valley VeloPark on the Park.

“There’s a career in construction for everyone. Every day is different. There’s always something new to learn. I’d advise anyone to give it a try – you won’t regret it. An apprenticeship here in the Park means continuous work experience and a chance to study debt-free. There are many opportunities for extra training and qualifications.

"I’m nearly at the end of my apprenticeship and I’m excited to get to the next level. I want to progress and experience every stage of the building process. My plan is to become a competent project manager, running my own projects and supporting my team to achieve our goals. I want to be at the heart of every project I’m involved in.”

Kamila, originally from Poland, came to England seven years ago with very little idea of what I should do next with my life after finishing school. 

‘I found out about my first apprenticeship role through a local newspaper. It was a pure stroke of luck, as I wanted to both learn and earn money so it seemed like a perfect solution. My first job was in construction admin where I completed a Level 3 in Business and Administration. My employer, Balfour Beatty, has been very supportive and encouraged my development. My journey through the ranks and education shows that an apprenticeship is a door, ready to be opened and stepped through. It leads to a better life, but it can also lead to many other opportunities – always better, always more fulfilling.’

‘I’ve been working at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the last 3 years as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor where I’ve completed a level 4 apprenticeship in Construction and Built Environment. My work involves analysing construction works quotations, procurement of construction packages like roofing, carpentry; pricing design changes and assessing any occurring on site. Before securing this role, I worked as a Document Controller and my work involved monitoring information flow, quality assurance checks on information submitted by consultants and subcontractors working on the project and general admin.’

‘Looking forward, in the long term I want to gain my chartership with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors but in the nearer term, I need to gain more experienced as a surveyor and hopefully become a Project Surveyor.’

Stefan, 21 from Waltham Forest, originally completed a qualification in electrical installation at College before deciding his wasn’t his preferred route. He was familiar with the work of a dryliner knowing family in the trade so when an opportunity came up with the Conneely Group, provider of drylining and fascades, he jumped at the chance.

‘I saw an advert for this role online after looking for jobs for a long time so it came at the perfect time. An apprenticeship role appealed to me because I wanted a qualification at the end of it.’

‘I have been working for Conneely since October 2018 on the East Wick and Sweetwater residential build in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and am studying for my level 2 in Dry lining at the CONEL, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North-East London which is a two-year course.’

‘On site, my role involves putting up plasterboard, cutting up ply word to create ‘noggins’, which are horizontal bracing pieces used between wall studs or floor joists to give rigidity to the wall or floor frames of a building, installing bracing and insulation. Working on site with experienced dry liners I’ve gained a huge amount of skills and knowledge, particularly about the importance of Health & Safety, the discipline of a construction site and the role of different teams on site’.

‘To anyone considering an apprenticeship, I would encourage them to pursue this route. You are learning on the job, gaining a qualification and earning money at the same time.  My aim is gain all the experience I can whilst I am completing my apprenticeship and longer term, progress to having my own van to working for myself’.

"Before joining idverde I finished my A Levels and trained with the Metropolitan Police as a Special Constable, a part-time role I actively volunteered my time to. I didn’t feel as though university was for me, so I pursued the possibility of an apprenticeship, learning whilst on the job. 

"I joined idverde in March this year and am completing a two year apprenticeship. I work in the north of the Park, where as part of a team, we maintain lawns, display beds, a large display bank and the wetlands.

"From  my  colleagues  and  the  college, I have  learned  a great  deal  to do  with  Horticulture and general green space maintenance. Before this I had no prior interest in gardening, but I have always felt strongly for green space conservation. This apprenticeship has given me a great sense of pride in the work I do alongside some brilliant gardeners.”

“I started my two-year apprenticeship with BT Sport at the end of 2015 along with five others. BT Sport was an opportunity I couldn’t say no to. I’ve wanted to work in TV ever since I was little.

"My apprenticeship is in the traffic department working on the incoming feeds. It’s quite technical. Day-to-day we go through all the schedules to make sure we’ve got all the programmes we need. In the first year, we went to college once a fortnight and studied for a Level 3 in Creative and Digital Media.

"BT Sport really want us to get the best out of it and gain as many skills as possible. I’ve been on a couple of shoots and worked as a production assistant. We had a day in the studio where we produced a whole show presented by Clare Balding and did all the roles like cameraman, director and the floor manager.

"I tell my friends who aren’t sure what they want to do to get an apprenticeship. It’s the best of both worlds – you get a qualification and you get to earn money. I’ve now been offered a job here as a production secretary. My goal is to become a production manager.

"My advice to you - don’t let anyone stop you doing what you want to do."