Apprentice Name: Brandon Charles
Host employer Name: Alan Wood & Partners
Trade: Civil/Structural Engineering
Qualification: Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment
Location: Sheffield
Date started: 01/08/2016
Date completed: 31/08/18
Previous circumstances prior to starting apprenticeship:
Brandon went straight to college from school. He studied English, IT, Business and Graphics. He enjoyed Graphics a lot and feels that this is why he enjoys using CAD now as it works under the same principles.
He started looking for apprenticeships straight after college during the summer break. He knew he wanted something in construction so was looking at Quantity Surveying, Estimating etc. He applied for quite a few apprenticeships in the industries he was open to many different trades and specialities. Thankfully he landed an interview with the EN:Able Futures Apprenticeship with Alan Wood.
He wasn’t 100% sure what Civil Engineering was apart from what he knew through watching the TV series Prison Break! He didn’t know anything about geotechnical engineering which would become an important part of his role at Alan Wood.
Frustrated at times because he didn’t know a lot when he first started, Brandon stuck it out because he knew eventually things would start to fall into place and he would gain a better understanding of the industry.
Brief description of duties:
A lot of Brandon’s day-to-day duties involves using CAD and Civils 3D. He got to grips with the software through teaching himself and learning from other people. He frequently does lintel checks, foundation calculations and generally helps his colleagues where needed.
What difference has doing the apprenticeship made to your life?
He feels it’s set him up for life. He has a career path now and he knows which way he wants to go. When he was at school he didn’t know what he wanted to do when he left. He knew he wanted construction and thought initially that he wanted to be on site all the time. The apprenticeship has opened his eyes to other possibilities and this role feels right to him.
Brandon did excellent not only in the workplace but at college also. He received fantastic grades and received a Commendation Letter from Leeds College of Building on his constant professionalism and commitment throughout his studies. This is great going forward for future training providers/employers to see. He wasn’t expecting it at all
What are your aims for your future career?
Alan Wood have snapped Brandon up and will put him through his HNC/HND Construction and Built Environment, a follow on from the Level 3. He will continue to study this at Leeds College of Building and will start in September 2018. This will take 3 years in total.
Brandon wants people to know that they should just go for it if they found themselves in the same position as he was when he finished college. Even though it’s daunting at first not to know what you’re doing, it gets better.