Why become an Apprentice?
Our people are our biggest asset, we are committed to skills development at all levels. We have been investors in people since 2001, whilst achieving Gold status in 2014. As a continuation of our investment, over the past year we have taken on a total of 5 apprentices! We believe in supporting and encouraging people in taking the opportunity to become an Apprentice as there are many valuable skills to be learnt, in particular within the construction industry. The Apprenticeship schemes we embark on are designed to develop professional and technical growth into the business, and has continued since the early years of our history to ensure apprentices have the skills they need for the future.
Take a look at why our apprentices chose this route with Woodhead Group…
Owen Nightingale, Former Site Manager Apprentice is now a full time employee at Woodhead Group, after gaining valuable experience from the ground upwards at one of our spectacular projects at Wentworth Woodhouse.
Prior to this Owen was taken on by an Apprenticeship Agency, EN:Able Futures, who helped to pursue the placement with Woodhead Group.
“Our Partnership with Woodhead group has shown it’s success with the demonstrated progress of our first shared apprentice, Owen. Woodhead Group provide comprehensive training and specific work experience while the apprentice gains underpinning knowledge with his qualifications through Barnsley College.
Extensive pastoral coaching is provided from us as his direct employer, and Owen gets to learn about the industry first-hand with the expert guidance of colleagues and managers at Woodhead Group. It’s these partnerships that ensure our apprentices be and become the best that they can, with tailored support from induction through to completion.’’
The Technical Apprenticeship Programme
Every two years we enroll two individuals onto a Technical Apprenticeship programme in partnership with Chesterfield College. The apprentices spend two years studying at the college and during that time they have 10 weeks in every area of the business at Woodhead Group. This ranges from, for example, being on site understanding the role of a Site Manager or Quantity Surveyor, to Finance or Marketing, in the office. In their second year of the programme they decide which two areas they like the most, and spend their time learning about the roles inside out.
Lets introduce you to our two new Technical Apprentices who started with us this year (Jan 2021).
The successful progression after the two years Apprenticeship Programme is proven through Harvey Gregory and James Bracegirdle as they recently completed their journey and have taken their next steps with the Woodhead Group. James is now starting a 5 year Quantity Surveyor degree funded by the company, as well as taking on a Trainee QS role. Harvey enjoyed being out on site more, therefore has started his career as a Trainee Site Manager on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield.
Our partners in the scheme, Chesterfield College, interviewed Harvey & James to find out more about their experiences. Discover why they became an Apprentice and how it has benefitted them for the future, right here.
Expanding Our Opportunities
As we continue to develop and grow as a business, we have recognised, even more so, the need for expanding the Apprenticeship opportunities within the Group by unravelling more talent in different areas.
Towards the end of last year we took on an Apprentice within our Finance team, Katie Taylor. This was a complete career change for Katie, as she was steered towards the opportunity by family influences, father and brother, who are also in the construction industry. She enjoys the interaction with our supply chain and subcontractors in particular.
At the start of 2021, we branched out even further and took on a HR Apprentice, Tia Pinnick. After working in HR previously for Boots, Tia wanted to expand her knowledge and skills. She chose the apprenticeship route as she enjoys studying and finds it valuable to put what she is learning straight into practice in a working environment.
We are an Apprentice Town Ambassador!
Alongside many other local businesses, we are an Apprentice Town Ambassador for Chesterfield. We work together to promote the many apprenticeship opportunities available in the town. Together we are committed to promoting and encouraging all levels of apprenticeships across the local communities as we support and inspire people to take their next steps. Find out more about becoming an Apprentice Town Ambassador here.