Case Study: Walter Thompson Apprenticeships
In support of National Apprenticeship Week 2020 we have searched high and low for some great apprenticeship case studies - in this case up a ladder to the top of a
Walter Thompson construction site. Read on for five great examples of apprenticeship success stories and click
here for our newly updated Employers' Apprenticeship Toolkit.
Darren Kilvington
Assistant Site Manager
Darren was given the fantastic opportunity to train as a bricklayer at Walter Thompson in 2004 after working for them as a general labourer for a short time.
Darren discussed his time as an apprentice and his journey to Assistant Site Manager:
“Being an apprentice is so rewarding as you get to work alongside tradesman who give you their time to help you learn and work towards your NVQ qualification. Training on site allows you to really get a sense of what life will be like once you have qualified and can go out and work on your own.
I have worked at Walter Thompson for 15 years. I completed my apprenticeship and then went on to do 12 years working as bricklayer. In that time I was able to work alongside and train new apprentices which felt like I was giving back the time that someone had given me when I was learning. This gives you a great sense of pride that you can help a new generation of tradesperson.
I am now an Assistant Site Manager at Walter Thompson after being given the great opportunity to further my career. I feel this is a great example to new apprentices starting out in the industry as it shows what being an apprentice can lead to in the future. Construction is full of fantastic opportunities and there is great variety of jobs to suit anyone. So starting out as an apprentice is potentially just the start to a fantastic varied career”
Beth Costick
Accounts Apprentice
Beth enjoys being an apprentice because she enjoys hands on learning, she feels she can learn something new every day. Being paid to do so is just a plus.
Anytime she has struggled with her work or her college work, she has received all the help needed from either work colleagues or her teachers/mentors.
Beth feels like apprenticeships are the way forward as she has met some great people and has learnt and been able to complete things that at the start that she thought she would really struggle with.
Beth is 19 and has been at Walter Thompson for almost 3 years. She says that applying for an apprenticeship with this company was the best thing she ever did.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Beth said “I would like be still at Walter Thompson and to be a fully qualified accounts assistant and if there are any further qualifications to get I would like to maybe try my luck with them.
Hopefully by the time I am 22 I will have passed all my AAT Levels which would make me more than happy”
James Daniel
2nd Year Bricklayer Apprentice
James enjoys being an apprentice and feels he has learnt a lot, not in a classroom but on the job. He feels working on site is more practical and he has benefited from being mentored and receiving support on site. He is learning and being paid!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
James sees his career still working on a building site, but with the benefit of being able to train and support future apprentices.
Matthew Langthorne
3rd Year Joinery Apprentice
Matthew is in his 3
rd year with the business. He still finds making things a regarding part of his role, along with learning and being paid!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Matthew hopes to progress into a management role, still within construction.
Dan Costick
1st Year Joinery Apprentice
Dan is 16, straight from Northallerton School and now working for this local business. Although he has recently left school, being apprentice ensures Dan is continuing to learn skills, and be paid. He enjoys working, whilst learning and earning.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Dan hopes he is still working within the joinery trade, he is enjoying the hands on approach and working with a team.