Practical first steps build foundations of construction career
0 Comments | Western Daily Press, Jul 3, 2010 | by Morris Burrough
Looking towards working life, Morris Burrough, 17, explains the value of an apprenticeship I’ve always been interested in the construction industry and since I was young I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship.
It’s important to be fully-qualified when you’re working in construction and I’d always considered an apprenticeship to be the best route into it as vocational qualifications give you crucial on- site experience while you’re training. I went to The Castle School in Taunton and, like every pupil, I had to choose my options when I was 14. Young Apprenticeships had just been introduced as a way for students to gain great practical industry experience. I jumped at the chance to do this new vocational qualification and begin learning the tools of the trade as soon as possible.
Young Apprenticeships were brand new when I started mine in 2006. Although they were such a new vocational qualification, I knew this was the route for me. The programme is for people aged between 14 and 16 and is available in a number of subjects.
The Young Apprenticeship programme is run as a partnership between schools, colleges, training providers and local employers. I did mine through The Castle School and Somerset College in Taunton, with support from ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board. On-the-job learning is the best part about this qualification and when I started this meant that everyone on the course needed to find an employer who would commit to taking us on through the three years. I was lucky enough to secure a place with David Chappell Design, a local bespoke design and build company which specialises in creating kitchens, bedroom and office furniture.
The programme requires you to have 50 days’ of work experience as well as attending college to learn the practical and theoretical sides of the industry.
During my Young Apprenticeship I spent every Monday afternoon at David Chappell Design learning joinbest.
ery techniques, as well as skills specific to the company such as constructing kitchen carcasses and hanging doors. I spent Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings at Somerset College being taught more general practical skills and having class-based lessons covering topics such as health and safety.
I really enjoyed my Young Apprenticeship as I had the opportunity to be in the workplace, getting hands-on experience and doing a real job while my friends were still at school. Lots of people see these college-based courses as an “easy” option and a way of avoiding school, but I don’t agree
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