Rajan, 19 is from Birmingham and his dream career is to be a chartered civil engineer and project manager. Here, Rajan tells us how he’s making his dreams a reality through an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship has everything really. I always knew I wanted to go into mechanical and civil engineering. I think it links back to my family history - my Grandad has a degree in mechanics and my other Grandad was involved with the rail industry. It was also the future prospects that attracted me to this role as well as the chance to travel and work abroad, which is something I might want to do. I am definitely more hands on but I do like the balance between theory and practical.

I really love the fact that I get to learn all about the infrastructure, the design and all the planning that goes into the project before the work even starts. I’ve had so many new experiences that I previously wouldn’t have thought possible.

What I really like about this apprenticeship is the training provided and the support from the staff. It’s so much better than my previous jobs in retail where I never really felt supported. Now, I feel like people really want to help me and see me succeed.

Craig, 25 from Swansea is a trainee site manager who is currently studying towards his CIOB Level 4 certificate in construction site management and an NVQ level 4 in Construction site supervision. Craig talks to us about his career in to construction, via the Royal Marines.

Following my career as a Royal Marines Commando, I decided to pursue a career in site management construction. This was as a result of some work experience in the field and it was apparent that an apprenticeship was the best route; allowing me to gain on site experience as well as gain the necessary academic qualifications. Learning the role of a site manager, whilst earning a wage is the best option for me. This is because I am a mature student with home life responsibilities including a mortgage.

The best thing about my apprenticeship is learning on site skills from my colleagues who have years of experience alongside picking up the academic skills in college. Doing an apprenticeship is the best way for me to learn as it offers hands on, practical experience, outside of the classroom. It’s great to be out onsite and seeing the construction project progress. I gain a great deal of satisfaction being part of a team, problem solving and interacting with different contractors.

The best thing about working for Kier is how much they value their apprentices and trainees. For example, they have set me up with a mentor from a different site to help with anything I need. In addition to this, the site team of the project I am currently working on are available for any advice and guidance. I value the collaborative ethos Kier promote and see it as a major strength of the company.

Kier develop their staff, by putting you through lots of different training courses and supporting you through your college qualifications. For example, I have been on SMSTS, First aid and environmental courses.

Bradley, 21 is currently an apprentice joiner with Kier North Tyneside. Bradley is currently working towards a Level 3 Site Carpentry. Here, he explains why an apprenticeship was the obvious choice for him.

“I chose an apprenticeship because I didn't want to go in to full time education and I wanted to earn an income. An apprenticeship is ideal for me, I am earning an income, gaining a trade and qualifications at the same time.

I am really enjoying the hands-on approach to work and learning at the same time, which I am more suited to, rather than being in a classroom five days a week.

The skills and knowledge I am gaining from this apprenticeship are not just benefiting me in my professional role, I have been able to use them outside of it too. I have been able to transfer these skills into my everyday life by developing my own property, something I am extremely proud of.

The colleagues I have worked with have been fantastic, taking the time to teach me the skills that I need to become a good joiner. I have also built friendships up with them outside of work.

Also working for Kier has given me the opportunity to work on various projects over the time of my apprenticeship. This means I have gained many skills in various sectors of the company.”

Annie, 20, is currently a business support apprentice for Kier Construction in the southern region. Annie is working towards a project management level 4 project management qualification. This is what Annie had to say about her apprenticeship at Kier.

“Before starting my apprenticeship at Kier, I finished my A Levels and applied to go to university to study Theology and Religious Studies. At this point I believed university was the only option I had, as I had not been told by my college and I was not aware of other career paths. I went to university but I wasn’t enjoying the lectures and I wasn’t sure if this was the right form of further education for me.

After completing my first year, I needed a summer job and thought this was an ideal opportunity to gain some valuable work experience. I was offered a placement at Kier and to be honest, I have never looked back! After spending six weeks working for Kier, I couldn’t imagine working or doing anything else as I was enjoying it that much. The work experience had just proved to me how much I enjoyed working and earning my own money.

I sat down with the HR team at Kier and asked them if there was any way that I could stay and what options there were available to me. This is when I was offered to come on board as a business support apprentice, with Kier putting me through my level 4 project management qualifications and my PMQ.

Since starting the apprenticeship, I have worked in different parts of the business; from the general works team, to pre-construction and the site based team, giving me the opportunity to understand what I am interested in so I will know what I want to pursue when I have completed my training.

Working for Kier has been such an enjoyable experience so far. From the beginning, I have felt like a valued member of the team, with everyone being so friendly and welcoming. At Kier, I feel like I am being pushed to do my absolute best and constantly being challenged to achieve more. It is warming to know that I am working for a company which values its employees and acknowledges when they have gone above and beyond.

Since I started at Kier I have been luckily enough to represent the company at a handful of careers events, where I have been able to share my story which I hope has inspired others.”

James is a construction trainee for Kier Construction in Cardiff. Here, James talks to us about his journey in to the built environment and how is determination and persistence landed him his ideal job.

“I knew from a very early age that I wanted to work in the built environment. I was looking at different career paths in to construction and felt an apprenticeship would be the best option. I liked the idea of earning whilst learning and with the focus on a mix of practical and theory, I felt it would suit me.

I actually started as an apprentice carpenter for a small house refurbishment company, followed by a roofing company. After completing my third year I was offered a position with Neath Port Talbot College to do a higher apprenticeship scheme for trainee managers. I was able to carry out practical and theory based work as I worked towards my degree.

A couple months in to working for the steel company, orders started to dry up. There was uncertainty over the industry and unfortunately the company let me go. I suddenly I found myself unemployed and miles away from gaining the qualifications I wanted. I contacted my training provider but they said sadly thy were unable to help. I was basically on my own.

It was this point I got in contact with Kier in Wales. I was offered an interview at the Cardiff office – I was a bag of nerves as I had never worked with a main contractor before. I was excited and really wanted to work for Kier, after researching the company further. I was offered a place on the Kier foundation degree programme and I am now in my second year.

If it wasn’t for my now contracts manager and Kier seeing my potential, I would be in a totally different place. Kier’s version of the higher apprenticeship scheme has given me the chance to learn, work and live construction whilst also offering job security. I’ve learnt so much from the people I’ve met and been mentored by.

Since starting my journey in to the construction industry, I have learnt so much. Working for Kier is not a job, it’s a fulfilling career that has already offered me countless opportunities.”

Freddie Seal joined Kier in 2017 after completing a 14-week training and work experience placement as part of Kier’s S-Skills for Highways Social Enterprise. Here, Freddie explains the benefits of an apprenticeship and that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

“When I left school, I had a number of different jobs in different industries and I was struggling to feel fulfilled. I felt that my career was at a standstill and not going in the direction I really wanted it to.

I was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia at a young age. I have always been aware of my conditions and whilst they can affect how I go about tasks or learning things, I never thought they should hold me back.

I was offered the chance to enrol on the Kier S-Skills programme at Brooklands Museum at the beginning of 2017. After completing the two-week programme, I was hoping to be offered a job on the roads. I was actually offered the opportunity of work experience and then a job in The Control Hub on our Surrey Highways contract. I would never have thought that I would enjoy a job in an office – but I do!

Since I started at Kier my confidence has grown, I feel able to talk and interact with all sorts of people. This role has also offered me so many opportunities, including going away on an apprenticeship training event.

With my apprenticeship, I am learning how to apply the knowledge from my college course in to my every day work. I will gain a professional qualification and look to further my development in a working environment.”

Katy left sixth form in summer 2016 with the intention of going to University to study English Literature and Journalism. 

 After achieving her A Level results Katy decided to look at Apprenticeships as an alternative to going to University and came across an Apprentice role in Civil Engineering on the M6 Smart Motorways Programme. After researching the different roles available within Construction and Engineering and the focus on bringing more females into the industry Katy decided that this was a career that she wanted to pursue.

Katy joined in September 2016 as a Level 3 Civil Engineering Apprentice employed by Kier. Whilst she has been on the Project she has rotated around various departments such as Engineering, Commercial and Planning to learn about the different departments that come together to deliver a construction project. Katy has continued to reach the personal learning goals defined in the apprenticeship programme and she has consistently exceeded these targets and produced work ahead of time.

As well as her day-to-day role within the various departments as an Apprentice, Katy has also been actively getting involved in extra-curricular activities on and off the Project. In June 2017 Katy co-ordinated a climb of Snowdon in partnership with St Luke’s Hospice and with her creative thinking and persistence she organised fundraising activities that eventually raised over £2,000 for this worthy charity. Katy also partnered with another apprentice to work with the Prince’s Trust 12 week team programme to help create a memorial garden at a local primary school in memory of a pupil who sadly died in a house fire.

Katy has also been involved in various inspiring a generation events since joining Kier in September 2016. In July 2017 Katy attended the Big Bang STEM Event in Liverpool with the  team and our subcontractors to help host the “Construction Corner” and showcase our industry and STEM activities. In July 2017 they also attended the Primary College event at South Cheshire College in Crewe. This event brings together over 1,000 primary school children from years five and six from the South Cheshire area for the opportunity for them to participate in a choice of over 30 interactive activities delivered by local organisations and Katy joined some of the other staff to deliver some interactive Civil Engineering activities to over 80 children over two days.

Before coming to the Project Katy had little knowledge of construction and engineering and she is very much looking forward to completing her apprenticeship and furthering her education and career within the construction environment and with Kier. In addition to this, Katy is a great advocate for new apprentices looking at entering the industry and also the promotion of females in construction. Katy loves to share her own journey and experiences with other aspiring apprentices and she is now also a STEM Ambassador and a Kier Ambassador following the Shaping Your World campaign.

Jack is a Level 3 Civil Engineering Apprentice on the M6 Smart Motorways Programme employed by Kier. 

 After finishing sixth form in summer 2016 and achieving his A Levels Jack looked to enrol himself onto a degree in Quantity Surveying when he came across the apprenticeship vacancy in Civil Engineering on the M6 Smart Motorways Programme. Jack was successful in gaining a place on the Apprenticeship programme after an intense assessment centre consisting of presentations and group activities with 20 other candidates. The apprenticeship route appealed to Jack as he can “earn whilst he learns” and enables him to gain valuable work experience as well as an education.

Whilst Jack has been on the Project he has rotated around various disciplines such as Engineering, Commercial and Planning however he has always known he wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor and has now settled into the Commercial department as his favoured career path whilst he completes the final few months of his apprenticeship. Jack is now a well-established member of the Commercial team and due to his professionalism and excellent attention to detail he is now able to look after his own small subcontracts. Jack doesn’t just accept a task; he wants to understand how it fits into the Project as a whole and likes to see a task through the whole life cycle. Although Jack is focussed on working within the Commercial department he still wants to expand his understanding of construction and therefore nominates himself to complete tasks outside of his role such as attending planning meetings and participating in health and safety tours of the site.

In addition to this Jack has also got involved in many extra-curricular activities on and off the Project. Jack is a STEM Ambassador and has supported in many inspiring a generation events including attending the Big Bang STEM Event in Liverpool in July 2017 and our subcontractors to help host the “Construction Corner” and showcase our industry and STEM activities. He has attended many careers fairs in local schools and colleges to promote the apprentice pathway and the industry and also share his experiences with others. In March 2017 Jack was also nominated to attend an Open Doors Event at a Kier Project to promote our Kier apprentices and was interviewed and filmed by both Signal 1 and Kier about his apprenticeship and the benefits of working and doing an apprenticeship within the construction industry.

Jack has always known he wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor and he is eager to complete his apprenticeship and enrol onto the Kier Degree Programme in Quantity Surveying so he can further his education and continuously develop himself. Jack is an excellent ambassador for current and future apprentices and this has been recognised with his recent nomination and final shortlisting for the “Rising Star Award” at the Kier Annual Awards. Jack was nominated for this award by his mentor in acknowledgement of the great value he adds to the Project team and Kier and also for his exceptional display of our Kier values; always being collaborative, enthusiastic and forward thinking.

I joined Kier in 2013 initially as a logistic technician apprentice and during this time I completed my NVQ Level 3 in warehouse and storage, as well as gaining my fork lift licence.

 I was really pleased to be recognised for my work on that apprenticeship – I was nominated for the Rising Star award at Kier and I was also invited to London to meet Prince Andrew as part of an event to celebrate and promote apprenticeship schemes. I recently had the opportunity to become a plumbing apprentice, which I took with both hands.

So far I’ve learnt how to complete first fix, carry out repairs and maintenance, bathroom renewal and much more. I’m keen to keep learning and enjoy a variety of work at both Kier and College. I’m looking forward to what the future holds and furthering my career.

I’m an apprentice ground-worker at Kier Living, working on our site at Bilston Urban Village, Wolverhampton.

My main responsibilities on my site include laying tarmac, block paving, compaction of materials, drainage and top soiling. I think my apprenticeship is great - I’m given every opportunity to learn and progress. The site team are brilliant and help me through my jobs.

I think apprenticeships are a great way to learn, if you’re looking to start one don’t let anything stop you. It’s a great way to start a career if you always push yourself and do your best.

I’ve been working as civil engineer apprentice at Kier for just over 6 months and I am loving it.

I’m heavily involved in maintaining and improving Suffolk’s Highways – designing and redesigning bus stops, working with other colleagues on major schemes and working on my own projects around the country.

My favourite parts of the job are the new opportunities I get to experience, particularly designing on AutoCAD and going on site visits where I can learn from others. The thought that I’m making a difference to Suffolk’s economy gives me great pride. Knowing that the public will be benefitting from something that I have designed for years to come gives me great job satisfaction.

I believe I’ve found the career for me in this apprenticeship and it’s improved my confidence so much, as well as making me realise that I am capable of more than I thought I was. My team at Kier are really encouraging and help me to get involved in as many of the exciting jobs as I can. I also go to College once a week to get my qualifications and as part of my apprenticeship, I have the chance to rotate around different departments within the company.

Before I found this opportunity, I never thought of taking the apprenticeship route but I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t recommend it more as a career path and a way to develop vital, on-the-job skills.

I joined Kier in August 2014 and I love it. I like that each day is differently and I’m constantly learning new things. 

I enjoy interacting with the different workers on site too – I look forward to coming into work every day.

A typical day for me on site involves managing our supply chain and materials, as well as ensuring health and safety standards are always being maintained.  I also spend time shadowing the site managers and giving inductions to visitors. I’m currently studying for my NVQ Level 3 in construction alongside my work on site.

In the future I would like to become a site manager and maybe explore construction overseas. My brother is a quantity surveyor and he always spoke highly of the industry.

My apprenticeship has allowed me to grow my confidence, meeting with new people every day. I’ve learnt so much about different trades and I’m looking forward to learning more about the practical side of their work too.

Kier has been really supportive and there is a clear career path for you if you put the hard work in.

I started working at Kier as an apprentice after I left St Francis Xavier School.

I’m finding my apprenticeship really interesting and varied and a typical day for me usually consists of carrying out site inductions, attending progress review meetings with subcontractors and liaising with clients about the scheme’s management.

I also spend time working with other members of the project team to understand the various roles required to deliver projects.

I find my college course is really relatable to experiences I’ve come across on site which helps my learning to keep developing the more time I spend on the project. It’s great to be earning whilst attending college to gain my NVQ and put my learnings there into practice on site.

I’m looking forward to further progressing within Kier as well as academically. I’m hoping to complete my NVQ in a year or so and then hopefully get the opportunity to go onto the Kier Foundation Degree Programme.

There’s a lot of competition for apprenticeship places but if you work hard and secure one you can learn so much.  I try to take in as much knowledge from the people around me as I can as each day is different within construction

When I was younger, my Dad would renovate pubs on Lark Lane, so I would always watch him and I knew then I would like to have a career in construction.

I joined Kier as an apprentice when I was 20 and I’ve been working on our project to redevelop Chester Theatre since February 2016.

I think my apprenticeship is fantastic – I really like the stability and routine it gives me on a day-to-day basis. I get on really well with my mentors who I meet with a number of times a week, discussing the project and learning from them.  Kier has invested a lot of time in helping me develop and I’m extremely appreciative of that.

My main responsibilities on site consist of supervising subcontractors on site, making sure the work is on schedule, and making sure all required materials are available when needed.  I also carry out quality assurance on the project and carry out site inductions for visitors. I supervise a number of site tours every week in addition to walking round with my mentors to identify which jobs need to be completed.

Since I’ve started I’ve acquired an IPAF licence which allows me to drive any mobile working elevated platform, allowing me to work with subcontractors who don’t have such a license.

In future I’m aiming to complete my NVQ Level 3 and eventually progress to be a senior site manager.

I would tell anyone looking to get into an apprenticeship in construction to go for it. I’ve learnt a lot since working for Kier, off both my mentors and subcontractors around me. A lot of my friends went onto college or University when they left school, however I am happy with my choice of getting out and working.

I have been at Kier Living since 2013 where I started as a business administration apprentice and have since progressed to the role of apprentice coordinator.

During my apprenticeship I completed my level 2 in Business Administration and my manager, who is keen to promote from within, recognised my administrative and IT skills and then offered me the job of Apprentice Coordinator. I am now well on my way to completing my level 3 Business Administration qualification and have also been on a First Aid course, Assertiveness Training and a Face Fit testing course. Kier believe in developing people and this is evident through my experiences here.

Most days I visit sites to carry out reviews with our apprentices and make sure they are happy in their roles. This is the part of my job I love the most as no one day is the same, travelling to different sites and meeting different people. Being female, I never thought I would ever be working in the construction industry, but now that I am I can see there are so many different roles and a lot more females coming into the industry at high levels. For example, three of the directors at Kier Living Central are female!

When I’m not at work I enjoy exploring what the UK has to offer. I love horror movies, going to concerts, playing on my PlayStation, shopping and reading.

I left home aged 16 with hardly any qualifications, and became homeless at 18. After three years living on the streets and in hostels, I was referred to the Prince’s Trust Team programme, which gives unemployed young people the skills and confidence to find work.

I wanted to work in construction, and through the programme I secured an apprenticeship with Kier, and I love my job. I’m in my element; I work on major, multi-million pound projects, so every day brings something new. I’m finding new techniques and innovative ideas, learning to solve problems safely and efficiently, and seeing amazing views of London, all while earning a wage!

I’ve found my groove in construction, and I’ll be happy here for a long time. I really feel like I’m living the dream – I get up in the morning and I’m excited to go to work.