Apprenticeship Week 2024

Aaron Houston

How long have you been an apprentice?

I’ve been an apprentice since January 2024, but starting my education in October 2024.

What’s your current role at Whitecode?

Currently, I am a trainee building services engineer.

What prompted you to work in the construction industry? Why do you think the construction industry appealed to you?

I had started a university degree in business accounting and management, but it was very open, where any answer could be the correct answer if you argued enough. Where as I prefer a more right and wrong approach. While the construction industry is still very open as to what you believe is the best solution for a situation, there is still a baseline to be followed.

How did you come to be an apprentice at Whitecode?

I was speaking to friends about why I was thinking of leaving university. One of my friends who had started working at Whitecode in September last year, told me about the company. He sent over the job description and put me in touch with the right people to contact about applying.

What has been the most surprising thing about working in the construction industry that you didn't consider before starting your career?

The most surprising thing has been how open the industry is. By that I mean how much YOU have to make a decision on what's best for that job and it's not just a standard system for every building/site.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

The best part is seeing the building you worked on, progress to become a finished several story building, for example, that you helped produce.

Have there been any particular challenges or difficulties that you've faced since becoming an apprentice? How did Whitecode help you overcome these?

The main issue I faced was not being qualified to go straight to the uni course; Whitecode helped me to enroll on a level 3 BTEC for what will be a 2 year course so that I can then go on to L4 and L6. Whitecode are willing to support you if they know they you are achieving results.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why?

Yes, I would, it’s a very good balance between work and education. Even thought you spend one day a week in college/university, you are still learning on the job constantly. They take their time to train you and recognise that you won't know it all from the start.

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?

These are important as they allow people to get into a job/industry that they may not have known existed. I didn’t, but if I had, I may have chosen different A-levels and started at Whitecode in the 2023/24 education year. Apprenticeships allow people to build a relationship with the industry at the same time as learning about it. It very different thing to have your degree and no experience to taking a bit longer but having 6 years of experience by the time you have finished.

What can the industry do to appeal to school leavers and anyone looking for a future career in construction?

It needs to make itself more known. When people think of engineering, most think of a more practical side to it, working with you hands, well I at least I did. But if more people knew it was a very tech heavy industry with a lot of creativity I believe it could incentivise more people to join the industry.

What do you plan to do once you complete your apprenticeship?

Being honest, I have no idea. But by the time I’m finished, it will be in 6/7 years and I’ll be 25/26. A lot would of happened in that time and I don’t know how it will affect my career. But what I want it to be in a hire position within Whitecode, maybe even have a trainee such as my line manager does now.

What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?

In the next 5 years, I hope to be promoted to junior engineer. This will maintain my morale, knowing that I am making progress.

What are your hopes for the future of the industry in the next 5-10 years?

I hope more people become aware of what the industry offers. More people will lead to greater innovation in the industry and improved services. 

Lawrence Swindells

How long have you been an apprentice?

2 years

What’s your current role at Whitecode?

Junior Building Services Engineer

What was your first role (if not your current role)?

Trainee Building Services Engineer

What prompted you to work in the construction industry? Why do you think the construction industry appealed to you?

I always enjoyed mathematics and DT at school, so it was the logical step to look at engineering careers. I wanted to be part of something which shapes the environment around me and to have a positive impact on communities.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing my designs built.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why?

Yes, because you receive a degree and professional accreditation at the end of your training and you have nearly 5 years of work experience in the industry too.

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?

They encourage people to join the industry early on in their working career when they’re most likely to learn new skills quickly.

What can the industry do to appeal to school leavers and anyone looking for a future career in construction?

Become more involved in schools and explain what career opportunities the industry offers.

What are your hopes for the future of the industry in the next 5-10 years?

Designing and building better quality housing. Achieving Net zero.

Shaun Fisher

How long have you been an apprentice?

I have been an apprentice for 3 years.

What’s your current role at Whitecode?

Junior Building Services Engineer

What was your first role (if not your current role)?

Trainee Building Services Engineer

What prompted you to work in the construction industry? Why do you think the construction industry appealed to you?

Ever since I was young, I've been fascination by construction and a curiosity that could only be met by joining the industry myself! From the large machinery employed on site to the engineering design software used in the office, I always knew it was the industry for me; I've never had second thoughts about my choice.

How did you come to be an apprentice at Whitecode?

My old school teacher Mr Brooker recommended apprenticeships. My friends Mikolaj and Ben had both applied for apprenticeships with Whitecode and had been accepted; so it was a no brainer for me.

What has been the most surprising thing about working in the construction industry that you didn't consider before starting your career?

All of the connections and jobs within the construction industry. I thought being an engineer would only involve calculations and drawing, but that is only scratching the surface. Engineers work closely with clients, design teams, contractors and manufacturers; there is a vast network of people and roles from different companies that come together to work collaboratively on a project, which I hadn’t appreciated until I started my apprenticeship.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

Most rewarding part of my job is seeing my designs being constructed; the time I spent sizing, specifying and modelling resulting in a finished building.

Have there been any particular challenges or difficulties that you've faced since becoming an apprentice? How did Whitecode help you overcome these?

I found it difficult at the start of my training to understand and envisage how my designs would become a real building. Everyone at Whitecode has been very helpful explaining concepts and ideas so I can better understand them and help me to improve at what I am doing. It has been the team at Whitecode who have formed me into the engineer that I am today and who have pointed me in the right direction with my career.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why?

100% yes. An apprenticeship is a great alternative to going university because it gives you a direction for your future with a great hands-on understanding of the construction industry, and key life skills too. Even if you aren’t sure if construction is for you, an apprenticeship will provide you with transferable skills and a debt-free degree at the end of it so who can complain!

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?

It gives you a goal to strive for and sets you on a path of professional development and recognition straight from school. Where other school leavers may choose university and use a part of their degree in their day-to-day jobs, the apprenticeship course provides you with a degree that you will use every working day and is the perfect foundation for a professional career.

What can the industry do to appeal to school leavers and anyone looking for a future career in construction?

Explain to school leavers how an apprenticeship can help them with their future career. Include a 5 year timeline of training and learning with an apprenticeship vs. a university degree.

What do you plan to do once you complete your apprenticeship?

I plan to continue my professional development and recognition through achieving my ACIBSE. I would like to start a Masters course in September once I've completed my degree. Then in time I'd like to progress to Chartered as soon as I can.

What are your hopes for the future of the industry in the next 5-10 years?

In the next 5-10 years, I hope Heat Networks will be up and running so that we can connect new building projects to existing energy centres to help reduce carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. Additionally, I hope there will be a greater drive to restore and refurbish existing buildings, not just in high end areas and expensive schemes but for everyone. I think this would help ensure the country can meet its carbon neutral aims.

Libby Baker

How long have you been an apprentice?
2 years (Almost)

What’s your current role at Whitecode?
Business Admin Apprenticeship

How did you come to be an apprentice at Whitecode?
Through social media.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Positive relationship with colleagues, celebrating achievements, learning new skills and knowledge, assisting where I can to support colleagues.

Have there been any particular challenges or difficulties that you've faced since becoming an
apprentice? How did Whitecode help you overcome these?
A lack of support from my college, I did not have a tutor for roughly 4 months, however, Whitecode supported me as best they could, helping me stay focused on my course.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why?
Yes! It has helped me overcome my lack of confidence, learning something new all of the time, support is amazing.

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?
You are able to work full time, as well as learning and achieving a qualification which means you can learn on the job.

What do you plan to do once you complete your apprenticeship?
Stay with Whitecode forever!

What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?
I hope to grow with Whitecode

Hari Ragavan

How long have you been an apprentice?

1 month

What’s your current role at Whitecode?

Mechanical Engineer

What prompted you to work in the construction industry? Why do you think the construction industry appealed to you?

Doing the Designing the Built Environment (DBE) course at GCSE.

How did you come to be an apprentice at Whitecode?

I heard about Whitecode for the first time from Mr Brooker. Then, during Year 12, an apprentice from Whitecode gave a presentation about the company and and the Apprenticeship programme.

What has been the most surprising thing about working in the construction industry that you didn't consider before starting your career?

I didn’t expect it to be a desk job, I thought that you would visit sites and more, but I later found out that I will eventually, when I have enough knowledge and experience to actually understand what’s going on around the site.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

When looking at a building and thinking I’ve designed stuff like that. For example, I was at the gym and I was just looking at the ceiling and noticed the heating, heating return and boosted cold water pipes and it just felt rewarding to think I have had a contribution like that but to other buildings.

Have there been any particular challenges or difficulties that you've faced since becoming an apprentice? How did Whitecode help you overcome these?

It is extremely different to school, you need to be able to adapt. My line manager explained this to me and what’s expected of me.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why

Yes, Whitecode’s a very nice, friendly place to work and LSBU is one of the best universities in London when it comes to apprenticeships. I have already referred one of my friends and he starts as a graduate mechanical engineer next month.

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?

School leavers want to get a degree but also work. Going to University the standard way means you accumulate a ridiculous amount of student debt, although some people never fully pay it back its going to be like an additional tax eating away at your paycheck every month. Your probably going to have to work part-time as well just to afford your living expenses. Then after you graduate you may struggle to find a job and remain unemployed for even a year or more. If you go straight into work, you generally don’t have much room for career progression but this obviously depends on the job and industry, but typically there's not much room. An apprenticeship allows you to work and gain real-life experience in the industry whilst also getting a university degree. You get paid for your work and your uni-fees fully covered by the apprenticeship provider. It’s a solution to all the negatives of going to university the normal route.

What can the industry do to appeal to school leavers and anyone looking for a future career in construction?

Showcase actual drawings and models. In year 11, my school showcased the different subject choices for sixth form and A-levels. The Professional Construction Practice stall had Revit models open on laptops and when I saw them I thought that looked interesting to make.

What do you plan to do once you complete your apprenticeship?

Continue at Whitecode, maybe do my masters.

Shaeyon Ramanan

How long have you been an apprentice?

Almost 2 months ago.

What’s your current role at Whitecode?

Sustainability Apprentice

What was your first role (if not your current role)?

Sustainability Apprentice

What prompted you to work in the construction industry? Why do you think the construction industry appealed to you?

The construction Industry appealed to me as it is heavily engineering based. Being in the construction industry would give me a better understanding and in depth knowledge of how the buildings around me are made.

How did you come to be an apprentice at Whitecode?

I completed work experience at Whitecode during the summer of 2023. As a result of this I gained interest in Whitecode as I liked the work environment. I then proceeded to apply to the apprenticeship programme, completed my interview and was offered a position as an apprentice.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

I think the most rewarding part of my job has been being able to directly contribute to the future of buildings through my role as a sustainability apprentice.

Would you recommend Whitecode's apprenticeship scheme to others? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend Whitecode’s apprenticeship scheme to others as from what I’ve seen so far, you are genuinely really supported throughout your journey as an apprentice. To add, everything done as an apprentice is done properly.

Why are apprenticeship schemes like this so important?

It provides benefits for everyone involved, the apprentice is earning while learning while getting that essential experience in the industry, the company often benefits as they retain the apprentices when the scheme is over and they often offer greater productivity.

What can the industry do to appeal to school leavers and anyone looking for a future career in construction?

I think showing all the different branches of construction can be appealing for someone looking for a career in construction as it can display a variety of different sectors within the industry where a specific sector may interest them more.

What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?

Hopefully, get my degree with a first. And try and win a CIBSE award.

What are your hopes for the future of the industry in the next 5-10 years?

Hopefully there will be more opportunities for young people to get into apprenticeships, they should become more available.