Placements and apprenticeships

We offer

• Engineering and general construction apprenticeships - with industry recognised qualifications
• Valuable on-site experience
• A site mentor who works closely with the apprentice whilst on-site to manage any construction related issues and able to provide immediate feedback, advice and guidance
• An apprenticeship officer (workplace coordinator) who is responsible for professionally and academically mentoring the apprentice ensuring that all the apprentices' needs are being met
• Regular review meetings
• Programme for unemployed adults (including pre-employment training, career assistance, work experience and commissioned training e.g. CSCS health and safety)

Apprenticeship scheme

Apprenticeships have become a central part of our operational business and sits well within our training and development blueprint alongside our well-developed graduate scheme. Our relationships with Construction Skills, colleges and training providers has provided an excellent foundation for VolkerFitzpatrick to develop a strong apprenticeship framework.

With many of today's construction professionals starting off their careers with some form of apprenticeship we understands the value of investing in the future. Apprentices can earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain construction specific skills as well as receiving training towards a nationally recognised qualification, usually on a day-release basis. Construction apprenticeships can take between one and two years to complete depending on the level. They can be tailored to suit the needs of the individual and are designed around the requirements of the construction industry to help develop specialist skills.

Placements

Part of our recruitment is to provide work placements for residents who live locally to our sites, ranging from positions on-site to administrative roles. We have an excellent relationship with Job Centre Plus and have partnered with them and other community organisations in assisting to recruit people who are unemployed, organising jobs fairs and career events, customised workshops and site tours to engage with the local community.

Adu Saffo, Trainee Engineer

Adu joined VolkerFitzpatrick in 2010, talking about his experience Abu said; "I saw the site from the bus, so I decided to jump off and see if they had any jobs or work experience they could offer me. Initially I was hoping for a year's experience in engineering, but I'm delighted to have been offered the chance of an apprenticeship. A lot of my friends are going to university, but I wanted to try something different."

Ashlee Barnes, Apprentice

Ashlee started with VolkerFitzpatrick in September 2010. After a series of interviews, academic assessments and consultations, he started as a general construction apprentice. Utilising our relationship with Construction Skills we were able to secure Ashlee a place on a course at NCC East College in Bircham. Ashlee displayed a natural flair for construction, able to take on new techniques, methods and information very quickly and apply his knowledge. We are now sponsoring him to complete a Civil Engineering Tec Level 3 at Lambeth College which will provide him with the option of a degree or HNC in Civil Engineering once finished. Ashlee started his course in September 2011.

We are proud to say that Ashlee was chosen from over 200 to win Apprentice of the Year at the National Construction College East awards. Ashlee also passed his NVQ Level 2 in General Construction with a distinction.