Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 

Shaquille Parson is currently doing Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship level 6. He explains more about his experience so far.

• Why did you choose this apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship was presented to me as a golden opportunity after registering my interest to continue my studies in higher education.

I have chosen the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship because I am aiming to develop a solid foundation in IT and build a long-term career within the sector as a skilled professional.

• How did you get the opportunity to work at Willmott Dixon?

I found the advert for the Service Desk Analyst online and was fortunate enough to be invited to interview for the role. The interview went swimmingly and here I am two years on, happily employed at Willmott Dixon.

• What do you enjoy about working for Willmott Dixon?

I really enjoy that role presents the opportunity to help customers on day-to-day basis regarding a range of IT related issues. I also enjoy being able to work as part of a team where we can share ideas and support each other.

• How has studying for this apprenticeship helped you in your role so far?

Since starting the apprenticeship, I am far more confident when finding solutions to incidents and requests in my role at the IT Service Desk. This is in large due to the apprenticeship as some the modules we are studying correlate with the systems and concepts used by our IT department.

• What do you hope to be able to do differently as a result of your apprenticeship?

My hope is to have a positive and productive impact on the business by implementing the knowledge and skills gained during the apprenticeship. With the backing of the Design and Technology Solutions apprenticeship, I am reassured of my knowledge when undertaking certain tasks or projects.

• Do you have any thoughts on the value of an apprenticeship towards a long-term career?

I highly recommend anyone looking to elevate their skillset in any field of work to consider reading into an apprenticeship. Having the opportunity to gain a high-level qualification whilst doing my full-time job is something that keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward in all endeavours.

Marie Lakin is studying a data technician apprenticeship level 3, and talks about her journey so far.

• Why did you choose this apprenticeship?

Over the last few years, since gaining the Microsoft Power BI accreditation, I have become steadfastly more involved in regional and national initiatives with data and IT teams. This course will help me advance my knowledge and support the business in making data-driven decisions, particularly surrounding the supply chain management activities.

• How did you get the opportunity to work at Willmott Dixon?

I started working at Willmott Dixon as a temporary receptionist for the Bristol office. This then turned into a permanent role. After some time, I was approached to join the supply chain department and have been working within this team for the past eight years.

• What do you enjoy about working for Willmott Dixon?

Willmott Dixon provides a secure working environment in which to develop personally and professionally. All the projects we have undertaken have in some way affected the lives of others, from new schools through to refurbishment of cultural spaces. We make an impact on the environment surrounding us and on people’s lives.

But the number one reason I enjoy working for Willmott Dixon are all the people who contribute to making this a collaborative and exciting place to work.

• What do you hope to be able to do differently in your role as a result of your apprenticeship?

My goal is to contribute to the strategic objectives of the business by developing my knowledge around presentation of data and be more confident in communicating data with various departments and people in the business.

• Do you have any thoughts on the value of an apprenticeship towards a long-term career?

Apprenticeships provide a structured pathway for skill development, mentorship, and a strong foundation for long-term career success by enabling side by side study and hands-on experience during working hours.

T Levels

Charlotte Barons is a management trainee who come to the company via the a T Level route. She explains how this has upskilled her for a career in construction.

• Why choose T-Levels?

I chose the T level as I preferred the method of learning – assignment based with exams at the end of each year.

The T level required work experience which enabled me to be exposed to real-life conditions and see how a construction site operates generally day to day. Exeter college also offered site visits to various construction sites which also gave us an insight to the real world – we were lucky enough to visit the Hux Shard project in Exeter that featured on grand designs.

• What T-Level did you study?

I studied the T level in Construction – Design, Surveying and Planning.

• How did you get the opportunity at Willmott Dixon?

Part of the course is to complete 315 hours of work experience on a construction site or with a construction company, the college got in contact with the social value manager at the time in Exeter office to organise a one-day-a-week work experience placement for myself. I started work experience one day a week then completed block weeks through half terms & holidays, through this I found out about the management trainee scheme so applied.

• What are you training to become now on the management scheme?

I am training to be a Build manager and potentially progress further with experience.

• What do you enjoy about working in construction?

I enjoy the different opportunities to learn every day, each day in construction has been different and I am constantly learning about new systems, products and methods. I also enjoy working together as a team on site with supply chain partners and WD colleagues to ensure we create the best product for our customers.

• Thoughts on T-Levels and how they give you a route into work?

The T level is how I am working with Willmott Dixon today, through work experience I worked with a great bunch of people giving me a great experience of the real world in construction. It is easy to learn in a college and understand everything by the book but being exposed to a construction site and team aided my knowledge to improve my work in college.

T levels are definitely the way forward as they get students out in the real world and prepared for construction life, the work in college ensured we learnt the background knowledge so it can be applied on site. Overall I am very grateful for my experience and would recommend the T-level to all students.

Ed Grimshaw also a management trainee who studied a T Level and also shares how they prepared him or a career in construction.

• Why choose T-Levels?

I chose T levels as I didn’t want to go back to sixth form to study A levels and I had an interest in the construction industry, so when I saw this course I thought it would be a perfect route to still get a valued qualification.

• What T-Level did you study?

Construction: Design, Surveying and planning

• How did you get the opportunity at Willmott Dixon

As the T level involves one day a week of work experience, I chose to do my work experience at Willmott Dixon. I went around with lots of people within the company, then the opportunity of the management trainee scheme came up so I chose which profession I enjoyed the most and applied to be a trainee. Having already been within the company for a little while, this benefitted me massively when going through the application process.

• What are you training to become now on the management scheme?

I began in the company as a commercial trainee. However, after 7 months I started my 12-week operations placement and at the end of this I decided that this suited me a lot better and I enjoyed more so after speaking to colleagues I had been working with I decided to change across to become an operations trainee.

• What do you enjoy about working in construction?

Working in the construction industry means that everyday on site is very different. Also, the team on site is a great team to work with.

• Thoughts on T-Levels and how they give you a route into work?

T levels give a very good route into the industry as the work placement that runs alongside the course can help to secure a job once the course is finished.