Kris Anderson, Countryside: NHBC's Apprenticeship scheme

NHBC launched its first-ever apprenticeship scheme earlier this year, as the industry began to recover from the pandemic, becoming an Education and Skills Funding Agency-approved provider. The apprenticeships are delivered by our Training team whose qualified tutors have decades of construction and coaching experience between them. 

We welcomed the first cohort to our Construction Site Supervisor (CSS) apprenticeship in September, which has been designed with industry-leading employers to reflect their specific needs. 

We spoke with one of the first on the scheme – 24 year-old Kris Anderson, who started his apprenticeship with Countryside on their 115-plot site in Blackthorn, Northampton. The former labourer, who joined the company last November, decided to begin his career in construction on the advice of his father-in-law who also works in the trade. He is one of nine Countryside employees currently on the NHBC scheme.

Kris commented "The first couple of months have been extremely useful and I have found NHBC’s training team really helpful.

They have answered any queries I’ve had, usually straight away and even in cases when it’s been out of their usual hours, such as weekends. We have a weekly Zoom call on a range of different modules and with a number of different tutors, which means that together with all of the other apprentices we are really tapping into a vast range of skills and knowledge.

Feedback is provided from the presentations we record and upload online and so far the process has been pretty seamless.

My ambition is to work up through the ranks over the next few years once my apprenticeship scheme concludes in October 2021 – hopefully to the role of Project Manager or Contracts Manager. My ultimate aim is to one day be recognised by NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards.

The modules we’ve completed so far have covered Health & Safety and we will be handing in module two - Effective Communication and Teamwork in January.

"I would thoroughly recommend NHBC’s Apprenticeship scheme to anyone looking to develop a career in house building and I am certainly benefitting from being involved, even at this early stage.”

NHBC’s Head of Training and Analysis, Darryl Stewart added: “It is great to hear of Kris’ progress and we look forward to training more builders of the future who will commit to high standards throughout their careers. Our apprenticeships provide a first rung on the ladder, along with a solid understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the industry.”