Apprenticeship case studies

Is it time for you to take the next step in your career? Explore our case study section to hear what our apprentices and employers have to say of their own experiences and the difference an apprenticeship has made to them.

a photo of a builder and developer on site

Akbar Zaman, Redrow

“I actually got into bricklaying by chance through an open day and ended up really enjoying my craft and as such stuck with that route.”

Leeanna Smith

“I’m really proud of being able to say I have built quite a few things! For example, walls with lots of different details."

a photo of callum quinn on site wearing site safety clothing

Callum Quinn, Keepmoat

Once Callum left school, he decided to try a bricklaying course. After testing the waters of a career in construction at college he knew it was what he wanted to do and pursued an apprenticeship to hone his skills.

Kane and Kyle Reynolds, DPH Construction and Keepmoat

In October 2022 twins Kyle and Kane Reynolds were looking forward to starting their careers working on Keepmoat sites as bricklayers with DPH Construction, but an unexpected challenge arose.

a photo of a bricklayer at work in site safety clothing

Nick Cox, Bloor Homes

Nick's been working hard building his career brick by brick to perfect his skill through an apprenticeship with Bloor Homes.

a photo of a young man in site safety clothing kneeling by some brickwork

Reece Osborne, Bloor Homes

Reece had been looking for an opportunity to get into bricklaying since school and was pleased to finally find one.

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Tom Warner, LTW Developments Ltd

Tom decided to change his plans after leaving school to a more practical option, starting his career in construction.

a photo of jack hart on site wearing site safety clothing

Jack Hart, Davidsons Homes

Jack knew he liked many aspects of construction, including other trades but decided that he wanted to focus on bricklaying. After leaving school he looked at apprenticeship options to develop his skills and secured one with Davidsons Homes.

a photo of lynn johnson in site safety clothing smiling at the camera

Lynn Johnson, Persimmon Homes

From selling houses to building them thanks to a supportive employer and starting a Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor  (CSS) apprenticeship through NHBC

a photo of a young man in site safety clothing smiling at the camera

Stephen Harrison, Vistry Group

After 25 years of service in the Royal Marines Stephen was ready to return to civilian life and start a new career.

a photo of a man in a suit holding a certificate looking into the camera

Vadivelu Kandampalayam, Cameron Homes

After a career in fashion and textiles Vadivelu, also known as Vijay, made the move into the construction industry by becoming a Trainee Assistant Site Manager with Cameron Homes.

a photo of workers on site wearing site safety clothing

George Paynter, Ridgepoint Homes

“The apprenticeship is great. I am beginning to take further responsibility on site and am really throwing myself out of my comfort zone. "

a woman in site safety clothing and a hard hat smiling at the camera

Jasmine Carmichael, McCarthy & Stone

Jasmine previously worked for six months as a construction site administrative assistant before starting her apprenticeship.

a man in a hard hat smiling at the camera

Harry Parsons, Bellway Homes (East Midlands)

Harry has six years’ experience in house building as a joiner (including time spent as an apprentice joiner) and currently works as an assistant site manager.

a man in a hard hat with a mustache looking at the camera

Shaun Miller, Bellway Homes

Shaun began his apprenticeship, having been a professional footballer until last year with no prior experience in the house-building industry.

a photo of a young man in site safety clothing in front of new build houses

Tom Cowburn, Redrow

Tom decided on a complete career change during the pandemic, beginning his CSS apprenticeship in 2021.

a man in site safety clothing and a hard hat smiling at the camera

Kris Anderson, Countryside

We spoke with 24 year-old Kris Anderson, who started his Construction Site Supervisor apprenticeship with Countryside on their 115-plot site in Blackthorn, Northampton.

Lilly Wren, Taylor Wimpey

22 year-old Lilly Wrenn from Taylor Wimpey, began her NVQ and started the NHBC apprenticeship for Construction Site Supervisor last November.

a photo of charlotte harrigan on site in site safety clothing

Charlotte Harrigan, Hill Group

From a front-of-house receptionist in an office block, to a Site Assistant with The Hill Group.

Laura Gravener, Taylor Wimpey

Taking her first foray into construction at just 19 years old, and with her family also working in the industry, Laura knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in the house-building industry; it was just a case of finding the right role.

a photo of a man called matt smiling at the camera while wearing site safety clothing

Matt Wylds, Principal Trainer and Assessor at Cambridge Training Hub

Matt is originally from Hertfordshire. He’s been looking after the hub at Cambridge since February 2023 and has been part of the construction industry since leaving school, becoming a labourer at 17 and attending college to study bricklaying

a photo of a man in site safety clothing smiling at the camera

Leigh Jakeman, Principal Tutor at Tamworth Training Hub

We spoke to Leigh about heading up the very first hub and the different aspects of his construction career.

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Colin Timney, Principal Trainer and Assessor at Newcastle Training Hub

Colin is originally from Newcastle and now lives in Durham. He has been the Principal Trainer and Assessor at the Newcastle Hub since it opened in October 2022 and joined NHBC earlier that year.

a photo of a man called phill wearing site safety clothing and smiling at the camera

Phil Mudd, Principal Trainer and Assessor at Hull Training Hub

Thanks to the success of the training hubs in Tamworth, Cambridge and Newcastle, NHBC’s fourth Bricklaying hub opened in Hull in September 2023. We spoke to Phil Mudd, Principal Trainer and Assessor at the new hub to find out more about his role, his career in construction and why he finds teaching so rewarding.

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Anna Milne, Redrow's Head of Talent

"the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from all taking part with all of them benefitting from a simulated work environment, which will ultimately mean they are able to make a smooth transition back to site."

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NHBC and GSQ Brickwork partnership

GSQ Brickwork are brickwork contractors specialising in new build housing, working with major house builders in London and across the South East. Established in 2008 and employing around 200 bricklayers, they are focussed on quality and customer satisfaction.

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David and Harvey Cole, Redrow Homes

We spoke with David Cole, father of Harvey who was determined to pursue a career in bricklaying, to understand more about why Harvey chose an apprenticeship with Redrow Homes and NHBC.

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Apprenticeship courses

Start your career in construction today with a construction site supervision, bricklaying or groundworker apprenticeship.

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