If you’re a young person leaving school, who wants to earn while you learn, avoid student debt and begin a career full of progression after leaving formal education – apprenticeships could be the perfect option.
Whether you’re drawn to the hands-on, practical side of construction or interested in the business management aspects, an apprenticeship in the construction industry can provide you with a solid foundation for a successful career.
At Hollywell, we offer comprehensive training schemes that cater to all levels, from JTL apprentices to Masters level courses, helping young people develop invaluable skills to pursue rewarding future careers.
Are you considering a construction apprenticeship? Here are five reasons you might be interested.
1. Earn While You Learn
Perhaps the most compelling reason to do an apprenticeship is the ability to be earning while you’re learning. The average student loan debt in the UK (as of 2024) is £48,470, so it’s no surprise that young people are looking at alternatives to university.
Not only do you get to learn for free on a construction apprenticeship, but you also get the reward of a regular pay packet, alongside industry-recognised qualifications. This means that you can take care of your bills while enjoying your well-deserved, hard-earned wage.
2. Gain Real-World Experience As Soon As You Leave School
While theoretical knowledge is important, hands-on experience is invaluable in the construction industry. Sitting in a classroom and writing lengthy essays certainly isn’t for everyone, so apprenticeships allow you to learn by doing.
A construction apprenticeship will allow you to work directly on real projects, alongside experienced professionals who can support and guide you while sharing their expertise. This means that instead of spending years in a classroom, you’ll be developing skills that can immediately be applied to your career.
Our apprenticeships at Hollywell give you the chance to work on a wide range of projects, from rail infrastructure to construction management. As an apprentice, you’ll have access to live projects and gain practical knowledge that will serve you throughout your career. Whether it’s learning how to operate machinery, working on site management or learning specialist skills like PTS (Personal Track Safety) or COSS (Controller of Site Safety) certification for rail projects, you’ll get direct exposure to the work that will shape your career.
3. Enjoy A Progressive Career Path
Before you begin your construction apprenticeship, you should be able to get an understanding of your career progression. If moving up the career ladder is important to you, there is a huge opportunity to do this in the construction industry. Starting with an apprenticeship is a fantastic foundation, whether you want to work in rail, engineering, plumbing or move up to managerial positions.
As you develop your skills, there will be opportunities to advance and diversify to more senior roles, such as site supervisor or construction manager. Our commitment to training extends beyond the apprenticeship stage, with continuous learning opportunities available through our Masters-level courses and professional qualifications.
4. Earn Industry Recognised Qualifications
Rewarding, valuable construction apprenticeships should be backed up by industry-recognised qualifications.
At Hollywell, we use approved trainers from C&G Services for trade skills and construction management qualifications. Whether you’re working towards trade qualifications, management certifications like SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) or SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme), or professional qualifications such as those from CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) or IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), your apprenticeship will give you all the credentials you need to progress in your career.
The practical training you receive during your apprenticeship is paired with a solid academic foundation, which can be incredibly beneficial when it comes time to apply for higher-level positions. These qualifications are recognised industry-wide, providing you with a qualification that is respected by employers across the country.
5. Support in a Collaborative Environment
Gaining a construction apprenticeship isn’t all about the practical, hands-on skills you’ll learn – it’s also about developing a solid understanding of both professional working relationships, and how to thrive in a team environment.
As an apprentice, you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to learn on the job, which for many people is the quickest and most effective way to learn. You’ll be able to watch construction in action, learn from experts and get stuck into projects yourself with the right support and guidance.
Join our Team at Hollywell
As a recognised training provider of all levels – from apprenticeships to Master’s qualifications – all of our schemes are delivered in accordance with existing IMS procedures. Our apprentices are hired through JTL, a leading provider of construction apprenticeships.
To find out more about JTL apprenticeships, please review their various courses and apply today.