Rhys Baines and Michael Kimberley have their futures mapped out thanks to their decision to embark on an apprenticeship with Redrow.
Rhys Baines, 18, from Buckley, is in the final year of his three-year bricklaying apprenticeship that he’s completed with sub-contractors Wrexham Brickwork.
Rhys says that when the time came for him to leave school, an apprenticeship was the best option for him so he could learn skills on the job rather than having his head stuck in books: “I saw bricklaying as a skilled trade for life and, while doing my apprenticeship with Redrow, my eyes have been opened as to just how many career paths I can take when it’s over. It’s given me the foundations to achieve a lot more than I first thought.”
And it’s not only career skills Rhys has learnt. He says that earning money from a young age has enabled him to develop good money management plus his social skills and confidence have been boosted.
“Being part of a team on site building a house, you work with so many different trades and people from all backgrounds. It’s been so interesting to speak to all levels of workers, from electricians to site managers and developing relationships with them that I’ll have for the rest of my career.”
Rhys has a number of options when his apprenticeship finishes this summer including continuing his career with us – with sights set on eventually becoming a site manager - or taking a permanent role with Wrexham Brickwork.
Michael Kimberley, 19, from Wigan, is coming to the end of a two-year commercial apprenticeship based in the commercial department at our Daresbury offices, near Warrington, Cheshire. Before joining us, Michael did his A-Levels at St John Rigby College.
Michael has split his time between learning on the job at Daresbury and studying at Coleg Cambria for a BTEC Level 3 in the Built Environment and an NVQ, with his studies paid for by us.
“During my second year, I’ve taken on more responsibilities and have worked closer with the senior quantity surveyors which has allowed me to develop a much deeper understanding of the construction industry.”
Once his apprenticeship ends this summer, Michael is hoping to stay on here and is keen to join our Construction Management in Housebuilding sponsored degree programme, which is run in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University and Coleg Cambria.
“Getting the college/ work balance correct was a challenge at first but now I feel like it has prepared me if I decide to join the degree programme. I have loved my time as an apprentice. Getting my qualifications while earning a salary was the perfect decision for me and it’s already opened so many doors for me that I may not have had if I had chosen to do something else.”
We’re preparing to recruit another 80 apprentices in England and Wales later this year and the NW division, which builds new homes across Cheshire and parts of Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Flintshire, will take on eight.
For more about apprenticeship opportunities with us and how to apply go to www.redrowcareers.co.uk/apprentices
