- What is your full name?
Elliott Austin
- How old are you?
20 years old
- Where do you live?
Bristol
- Which division do you work in?
South West
- What department do you work in?
Trainee Civil Engineer and started as Technical Apprentice 4 years ago
- What were you doing before you apprenticeship? (School, university, job)
Before my apprenticeship, I was studying my A-Levels. I was never that academic at school so was really keen to get out into the real world of work.
- Why did you choose to enter construction?
Its actually runs in my family. My Mum works for Redrow and so does my brother, so it felt like a natural path to follow in my family’s footsteps.
- There is definitely a stigma around construction industry apprenticeships, from first glance people think of just trades. However there are great routes of different pathways from customer service to technical, to sales.
- What are the key benefits to an apprenticeship in your opinion?
I really enjoyed it, you get to be part of young team in a larger company and all learn together. Everyday keeps me busy and it’s amazing to see sites from Land Appraisal through to exit strategy. Redrow offer a great rotational scheme so you can really try out anything and find the area you are passionate about.
- What skills are important?
I wasn’t very academic at school but the core subjects I now use every day, especially Maths. I was helping a cousin with her Maths homework and realised how much of what you learn in year 10 and year 11 maths translates into skills in the real world, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work? (Hobbies etc.)
Football is a big passion of mine. It definitely translates into my work too, especially team playing. Playing with adults, office socialising with older people, play into team.
- How did you hear about Redrow?
My brother is a Quantity Surveyor and Mum works at Redrow in sales department, so I looked on the website. I’d previously completed work experience in 2017, so applied and got it!
- What makes a good apprentice?
Someone that is confident and not afraid to ask questions, you’ve got to bother people, there’s so much knowledge from people in the office. Put yourself out there!
- What advice would you give to other school leavers or other people wanting to do apprenticeship?
It is definitely something I had to weigh up, the university vs apprenticeship route. You get yourself into a lot of debt at university and come out with a piece of paper, rather than the experience of an apprenticeship. It’s not just the experience you get from the industry, but it’s the life skills you learn. You learn to be confident, how to work in a team, staring up savings or pension scheme all useful life tools.
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
I would love to stay at Redrow. The Austin family have been at Redrow for 20 years now. Working my way up to Technical Director would be great but I guess the sky is the limit!
