How Apprenticeships Can Be a Great Route for Young People to Access the Construction Industry - Barnes Construction

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we asked our newest apprentice Eve about her experience so far at Barnes Construction and how apprenticeships can be a great route for young people to access the construction industry.  

Eve joined us as an Apprentice Painter and Decorator at the beginning of January 2023, and is currently studying at Otley College alongside working at Barnes Construction.

“I was inspired by my nan to take up painting and decorating. I used to watch her decorate her own house, and mine, from a young age and it has always been of interest to me.”

“I would urge other young people to consider joining the construction industry through apprenticeships as it’s a great industry to get into. There are a lot of aspects to it that could be of interest to many people.”

Just 16% of the current workforce in construction are female. Eve urges any women considering a career in construction to join the industry, to help reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal work force. “With employers like Barnes Construction recruiting female apprentices, things are looking very positive.” Says Eve.

“I have really enjoyed my time working with Barnes so far and I love how everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. I have a newfound confidence within myself since starting this apprenticeship.”

“I am most looking forward to learning all the skills I’m going to need to become a qualified lifelong Painter and Decorator.”

We look forward to watching Eve’s career grow.

Alongside apprenticeship programmes, we also run our Management Trainee Scheme. An opportunity for on-the-job training alongside a fully funded degree course at university, studying as part of a BSc (Hons) qualification in either Construction Management or Quantity Surveying. Our trainees rotate between departments to gain the practical knowledge and experience required for progression to senior roles within the construction industry. The scheme has been hugely successful – 3 of our 5 Directors began their careers as Management Trainees.

We currently have 9 individuals enrolled on our Management Trainee Scheme. Sam joined Barnes Construction in September 2020, and shares his experiences below:

“There are multiple benefits to the Management trainee scheme, but the biggest one for me is the fact that I can implement my work in the office and on site into my studies. This really helps with assignments as you are seeing things as they are first-hand, which is the best way to learn in my opinion.”

“I am currently working in Quantity Surveying. It is exciting to be able to work in all areas of the business to understand which parts I enjoy. I am most looking forward to choosing my future specialism. “

“Barnes Construction have been great with support, if I do not understand something there will be multiple people around me willing to help. They have given me the opportunity to go to Uni as part of this scheme and I am delighted to be a part of the business.”

“I would 100% recommend this scheme to others”.

For more information, visit Management Trainee Scheme – Barnes Construction