It’s National Apprenticeship Week and the theme for this year is Build The Future, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
As part of its commitment to apprenticeship and training opportunities and promoting the wealth of career opportunities available within the construction industry, Cambridge Investment Partnership, through Hill, has provided nine apprenticeships across its projects.
Twenty-year-old Karl Davis from Newmarket started his carpentry apprenticeship at CIP’s Ironworks, Mill Road development in August 2021 with sub-contractor L+E Portfolio. Karl finished college and decided to do some voluntary work in carpentry to see how much he liked it. He looked around for apprenticeship opportunities and got in touch with K10, construction specific apprenticeship training agency who partner with Hill. He was successful and assigned to work with L+E Portfolio at Mill Road.
Karl commented: “I am already four months into my apprenticeship and really enjoying it. The team are great, and they are giving me so many opportunities to learn and advice of how to do things. I spend every Monday at college and then four days on site. Working on site has allowed me to boost my learning, seeing how all the health and safety relates and the procedures in place and link it back to the theory. It’s also good being on such a large development learning how each of the trades work together and getting to see the finished product.
“The wage is really good and once I finish my Level Two, I am looking to go onto Level Three and progress my career. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship as a great route and career path as there is so much potential and opportunities.”
Tom Hill, Regional Director for Hill commented: “As an industry it is vital that we bring forward the next generation into the industry so it’s wonderful to see apprentices on our CIP projects learning so much. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for those of all ages who are interested in construction to earn whilst they learn, and we are pleased to work in partnership with K10 to grow our programme.”
Nineteen-year-old Lewis White also started working as an electrician apprentice at Ironworks in Mill Road in September 2021 with sub-contractor Colne Valley. Lewis left college after completing his Level One and Two at Peterborough College in Electrical. He was keen to explore apprenticeship routes, but due to the pandemic was unable to find anything, so started to work in the fire alarm industry whilst continuing to look.
Lewis said: “I saw the position advertised by K10 through Indeed and was keen to find out more. I went to see them one Thursday and was offered a position the next day. I spend four days a week on site and the other in college; I much prefer this route as you get to see how things are put into practice which is really beneficial. The team on site are really supportive, helping you along the way and I feel like I am progressing well.
“My ultimate goal is to have my own business one day and I am going to continue to work hard to achieve this. I would 100% recommend this route as it is so much better than spending all your time in college. I also like the fact that you can earn whilst you learn and its nice seeing money coming in each week.”
Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP Board Member said: “As part of our partnership we are committed to apprenticeships and employing local labour so it’s wonderful to see this young talent embracing all the opportunities the apprenticeship route and the construction industry have to offer. I wish them all the best in their future careers.”
Adam Sapey, Chief Operating Officer at K10, construction specific Apprenticeship Training Agency commented: “It’s been a great pleasure for us to be asked to be involved in the Hill initiative to promote construction apprenticeships in the Cambridgeshire region.
“The hard work and commitment being demonstrated by the apprentices and the sub-contractors that are supporting them, has been a reflection of the genuine desire within the industry to see new blood coming through, long may it continue.”
Header image shows Karl Davis and Lewis White, apprentices at Ironworks Mill Road, Cambridge.
