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.”