Apprentice Insight: A career to make a tangible difference

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK COMMENT Although I was unaware at the time, I have always been interested in construction. My parents were constantly renovating our flat, and I found great joy in helping them tear up tiles and repaint walls. There are many things we like as young people that we never realise we could turn into a career. However, I followed the path well travelled, completing my A-levels and going to university to study a three-year degree in finance. We are often told this is the solution to a successful early career, which sets up high expectations that can eventually come crashing down. After graduating, friends left and right were struggling to find a good graduate position, and many opted for a master’s degree to put off that gruelling job for later. I knew I wanted a job that would allow me to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The construction industry is ideal – it has the ability to shape our environment and people’s lives. However, there were a few issues. Construction is often perceived as a male-only industry, with just a small percentage of the workforce being women, although this is slowly changing. It isn’t just that women are not pushed to join the industry, but we are actively discouraged from doing so. I now work for L&Q and the company is full of amazing women proving the stereotypes wrong, including chief executive Fiona Fletcher-Smith, department director Vicky Savage and my line manager Sarah-Jane Gwynn, who heads up the buying department. I hope to see more young women joining the workforce in the coming years. Being surrounded by strong, like-minded women has been incredibly empowering, and we can already see the benefits that they bring to the industry, particularly when reaching leadership level. Reaping the benefits The rewards of being in the construction world are well worth the effort. L&Q is a not-for-profit housing association, whose fundamental mission is to provide quality, affordable homes for those in need. This means I have the opportunity to work on projects I know will positively affect communities and change people’s lives. I have also had the opportunity to work with a team of great, experienced professionals who have guided and supported me throughout my journey. An apprenticeship allowed me to get my foot in the door of this otherwise-intimidating sector, when I only looked good on paper but had no real-life work experience. It was the perfect opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and work experience and begin to save all at once. I wondered: why had no one told me about this before? I had always believed apprenticeships were for trades such as carpentry, IT and engineering. I had even been told an apprenticeship was far less valuable than a degree. Looking back, that could not be more wrong. The industry-specific knowledge and experience are invaluable, and the flexibility of the programme is also a big plus. When I started, I was supposed to do an L3 administration course followed by a two-year L4 CIPS course. However, my line manager quickly identified that I did not require the first-year course owing to my existing knowledge and skills. Instead, my apprenticeship now consists of a two-year programme and I’m due to start the L4 CIPS course later this month. Invaluable life skills My responsibilities as a materials buyer involve purchasing materials and machinery, from small items such as sugar all the way up to the tower cranes, liaising with suppliers and helping our accounts department process invoices. Essentially, we control and spend the company funds, ensuring they are spent as efficiently as possible. After my apprenticeship, I can progress to the central procurement department, which oversees all buyers and creates frameworks for us, or to another department – buyers do not just purchase materials, but also land, commodities and pretty much anything. I have come to love this industry even more after watching our projects grow from empty land to timber frames, to fully complete housing. I also know I have been equipped with invaluable transferable skills to help me on that journey: workplace etiquette, time management, negotiation, valuation and confidence.  I am excited to see where this career path will take me, and I am looking forward to the many challenges and opportunities this will bring me in the future.  For others considering a job or apprenticeship in this industry, my advice is to be proactive and take advantage of any opportunities to learn and grow. Be willing to take on new challenges and embrace the uncertainty that comes with this industry. Most importantly, always be willing to learn more, and don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues for support. Karina Gargrave is an apprentice buyer at L&Q Image: supplied