As a company that takes great pride in its long-term investment in its team, Pexhurst offers young construction hopefuls and others looking for a career change highly rewarding and bespoke apprenticeship programmes. Collaborating with leading universities and organisations, we focus on providing apprenticeship learning that boosts productivity, develops confidence of the individuals involved and helps ensure the safe future of the construction industry.
With around 90% of apprentices choosing to stay with their employer after completing their apprenticeships, providing a safe, trusted and proven apprenticeship scheme is vitally important. At Pexhurst, apprentices of any age are given all the support, tools and mentoring they need to develop their career path and enjoy everything the construction industry has to offer.
Offering a real alternative to going to university, Pexhurst’s apprenticeship programme provides on-the-job training, as well as full qualifications up to NVQ Level 7 – equivalent to a Masters degree. This enables the apprentices to hone their skills and knowledge while gaining vital experience. It also opens the door to career progression and leadership development.
An ideal start for young and keen apprentices
One of Pexhurst’s most recent apprentices, Alby Gumble, is currently working towards a Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor role. Having come into the industry as a ground worker, Alby started his journey on the Pexhurst apprenticeship scheme as a Trainee Site Manager and has since been promoted to Assistant Site Manager. He reveals how the apprenticeship scheme has helped him gain confidence and the necessary skills he needs.
He said: “Since the beginning of my apprenticeship scheme, it has enabled me to gain a good understanding of how to efficiently control and run a construction site. This ranges from health and safety to following a programme to ensure the project meets the required specification of works.
“The best aspect for me is being on-site, working with a range of individuals from clients to sub-contractors and learning the way things are done. The world of construction is a great career opportunity and a constant stream of knowledge.
“In the future, I’d like to focus on developing myself more as a Site Manager, as well as completing a Level 6 NVQ and being able to work on more complex projects.”
Furthering career progression with NVQ Level 4 apprenticeships
Assistant Site Manager Aaron McElligott started with Pexhurst in 2023, immediately joining the bespoke training and apprenticeship scheme. He is currently working towards a Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor apprenticeship at the University of Westminster.
He said: “I’ve gained a huge load of experience, knowledge, and confidence by working alongside very experienced people on multiple different sites who all offer great support. Our projects can be very diverse, so you can experience many different aspects of a project.
“It’s good to come into the industry with an open mind because you might think you know what position or path you want to take; however, the industry is so diverse you can take so many different career paths. I want to progress my career by working hard continuously, going above and beyond to achieve successful projects and carry on surrounding myself with experienced people.”
Degree-level apprenticeships
Currently working towards a BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Construction Management Degree, Tom Kasoulis began his journey in the construction industry as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor before joining Pexhurst in 2022. Working on a variety of projects within the commercial and industrial sectors, Tom’s current role is an Assistant Contracts/Commercial Manager.
Tom said: “Working within the industry alongside my studies has enabled me to gain so much experience, as well as meet various industry professionals that support my learning.
“The best aspect of the scheme has been having support from the team. Whenever I have any questions, the team either know the answer or point me in the right direction. I would thoroughly recommend an apprenticeship scheme, working and studying at the same time in my opinion is the best way to learn.”
Pexhurst Director Nick Tagliarini said the apprenticeship scheme is a highly useful tool, not just for Pexhurst, but also the industry as a whole. He said: “Apprentices are like sponges, they absorb so much information. They have such an eagerness to learn, something that is only ever going to be of benefit to the industry.
“Apprenticeship schemes give them that vital experience they need and foundations they can build on throughout their career. At Pexhurst, we invest our time and energy into helping them develop and enhance their skills and give them bespoke training plans that they can follow throughout the scheme.”
If you’re interested in finding more about Pexhurst’s apprenticeship scheme and the opportunities on offer, please email your CV to richard@pexhurst.co.uk
National Apprentice Week takes place between Monday 5th February and Sunday 11th February.
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