A Case Study: Ashley

Ashley Copeland is based in Lewisham and is studying a Level 3 Plumbing and Heating Apprenticeship (4 years) with Kimpton which was organised by Evolve Apprentices Ltd.

Ashley applied for an apprenticeship because he previously completed his Level 1 & 2 Plumbing course, then the pandemic happened, and Ashley found it hard to find an apprenticeship opportunity. Ashley realised that many apprenticeship placements asked for a driving license which he did, he then came across the opportunity with Kimpton which came at the right time after earning experience with his uncle’s construction business.

Ashley feels the rewards of an apprenticeship are great, with him even recommending the pathway to a friend.

‘I introduced my friend to Evolve, and he has completed his Level 2 apprenticeship in Bricklaying and a multi trade course. Once I complete my apprenticeship I will become a fully qualified gas engineer – I will then become gas registered which will enable me to go start a meaningful career in the industry. I’m also a qualified bricklayer and painter and decorator.’

Ashley faced personal challenges with his reading and writing due to being dyslexic, but he went back to college and achieved a GCSE grade C in Maths, and he urges others to overcome barriers and focus on being positive.

‘If you ever doubt yourself or you feel anxious about anything you want to do, forget the negativity, and pursue whatever you want to. Don’t share with narrowminded people as they may be negative so only surround yourself with positive people. If you love what you do, you will feel unstoppable.’

Ashley feels that undertaking an apprenticeship has enabled him to learn from 2 different spectrums – educational and what to do in the outside world He now aims to complete his apprenticeship and set up his own business thanks to having 4 trades under his belt with a wealth of experience.

Good luck Ashley in your future career!

A Case Study: Chintan

Chinton is studying at Croydon College in East London and is studying a Level 4 Site Supervisor Apprenticeship which he started in 2019 through Evolve Apprentices Ltd.

At school Chinton studied all the main subjects including English and Maths, he was searching for jobs and management roles online when he found the apprenticeship vacancy. He decided that an apprenticeship in the construction industry would be a good move for him as he had previously worked at Screwfix, so he had a good knowledge of tools, and he always had an interest to work in the industry. Chinton also met so many contractors during this time and learned more about the industry

‘It’s good that I get to expand my knowledge as I also learn about Quantity Surveying and Engineering. The site I’m working with right now is good because I get to do a bit of everything, even if I don’t know what I’m doing they support me. It benefits my home DIY skills also!’

Chinton feels that what he has learnt as an apprentice allows him a better understanding of the trade. On site experience and having a day in college is a good balance and he isn’t afraid of asking questions. At college he studies the detail of structural engineering, the tendering of a job and learns about site management and what the responsibilities are.

His day-to-day job is very varied as a Site Supervisor, he has to support new starters arriving on site by giving them an induction, risk assessment and look around site to ensure there are no hazards. As part of his role Chinton looks at drawings and refers to the structural engineer if there are any problems. Being a Site Supervisor also means responsibility in setting up meetings with structural engineers to go over everything to ensure everything is done correctly and is up to date.

Chinton feels he has faced challenges such as working under pressure plus improving his communication skills; ‘I wasn’t very talkative and didn’t have the best communication skills but shadowing one of my colleagues helped me improve this drastically as they were very patient and helpful’.

Chinton has learnt how to work with different people and learning to adapt, he has also learnt how adapting to working with different people helps to build a good relationship with them

‘Meeting new people and getting potential connections for future work and learning new things on sites has been such a good experience and has been life changing for me. My future plans include learning enough to become a site manager’.

Chinton recommends an apprenticeship to others and shares his top tips.

‘Enjoy yourself whilst you’re doing it and make sure you learn and ask questions all the time. If you don’t understand something, it will come back to bite you! Take on knowledge passed on to you, always ask questions as that’s the most important thing’.

A Case Study: Connor

Connor (20) is studying a Level 2 Bricklaying Apprenticeship with Park Royal college / West London College which was organised by Evolve Apprentices Ltd. He started at the beginning of 2020 and finishes February 2023.

At school Connor studied media and photography along with all the core subjects then because his Dad worked as a Supervisor in a bricklaying company he was offered the apprenticeship position as he was not in education or work at the time.

‘The main benefits are on site learning and you get paid then at the end of the apprenticeship you become qualified and are set up for a future in that chosen career path’.

Connor’s day-to-day work involves working with bricklayers and constantly learning from them, of laying bricks, as well as learning how to read site drawings. At College he then learns the theory behind everything he’s doing at work and gets to build in the workshop (such as learning how to set out brickwork walls or follow the drawings). Connor admits it can be a challenging job in the Winter months but believes staying focused is very important;

‘The main challenges I faced was a lack of motivation at some points especially during the winter periods of working on a construction site…I overcame this was by staying focused on what the outcome will be in the in the long term. My future plan is to follow my career path as a bricklayer and hopefully then set up my own bricklaying company’.

Connor’s advice to other would-be apprentices include making sure it is a career you have an interest in and can see a future career path ‘If you’re just starting out stick with it and just think of the end goal – there will be days were its hard work and the weather might be horrible but again think of the end goal.’

Good luck Connor in your future career!

A Case Study: Dante

Dante Duhaney is based in Lewisham Borough and is studying a Level 3 Electrician and Maintenance Apprenticeship with Blues Electrical and Watkins Jones which was organised by Evolve Apprentices Ltd.

Dante decided he wanted to start an apprenticeship to better himself and have a higher chance of getting a job afterwards, once he started college he realised he wanted to work in the construction industry;

‘Gaining experience and knowledge puts you ahead in general and being able to get a qualification. I would 100% recommend others to do an Apprenticeship. In the future I would like to work for myself. My advice for future apprentices is to always ask questions even if you think your questions sounds silly still ask them’.

Good luck Dante in your future career!

A Case Study: Issiah

Issiah is studying a Drylining/Interior System Installer apprenticeship which he started September 2022 and is due to finish September 2024. He is being supported by Ixion and heard about the opportunity from Brent Works and Indeed,

At school Issiah studied Maths, English, Science, Design Technology, Geography, History and Religious Education and chose an apprenticeship to help him gain the experience he needs to move forward in the industry. Issiah feels the apprenticeship gives him hands on experience, a salary, and an opportunity to train whilst he works and gets a qualification when finished.

His day-to-day job on site includes measuring and cutting metal track and stud, fixing plasterboard to metal studs using an impact driver or screw gun, filling in joints between boards and covering the joints with fibre tape.

On his apprenticeship Issiah overcomes challenges such as lack of knowledge by asking colleagues and friends how to do something so he can learn and complete tasks correctly.

‘The best part of an apprenticeship is learning on the job and working alongside experienced workers while having a salary. I would like to stay on site for one more year to gain more experience and using the skills and knowledge I have gained I would like to build a recognised company in the construction industry,’

Good luck Issiah in your future career!

A Case Study: Saul

Saul is studying a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation which he started November 2021 and is studying at Park Royal Construction College.

At school Saul studied GCSE P.E, History and Drama as well as the compulsory subjects and decided to choose to do an apprenticeship to become a fully qualified Electrician. He heard about Evolve from another company and felt transferring his college skills to work would be useful for his future career plans.

On site Saul gets involved in wiring, planning the next job, containment work, fault finding and customer care, then when he is at college, he is learning about the industry including learning about testing/inspecting/how to conduct work competently.

Saul feels his biggest challenge is when starting at a new site and having to interact with new people, but he feels the benefits of an apprenticeship are worthwhile.

‘You get a better understanding of where to apply your college work to actual work and have an actual insight of what you’ll be doing in the future. I would tell someone else considering it to do it as soon as possible and be committed – it’s the best choice personally to me’.

Good luck Saul in your future career!