News

WW Martin are supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2018

As a business with 140-year history, we recognise the importance of helping to create the 'workforce of tomorrow' particularly in the construction industry.

The investment we make in our staff and the creation and delivery of apprenticeship placements is central to our approach and is something that we pride ourselves on.

We are able to operate a great variety of apprenticeship trades within our business, particularly as we directly employ over 40 highly skilled and experienced operatives who are able to act as mentors to our apprentices.

We are also working with Kent County Council (KCC), to support and promote ‘Made in Kent’, a campaign designed by KCC to promote and encourage apprenticeships in Kent. Launched last year, the campaign featured a video interview with our apprentice Site Manager, Connor Hyde. Now some 6 months on, and to coincide with National Apprentice Week, we have caught up with Connor to share and update people on his progress.

Can you tell us a little about your apprenticeship and role to date?

"I started out my apprenticeship on site for a KCC project at Wyvern School, Ashford. On a day to day basis on this project, I would oversee the works that were being completed. I also reviewed drawings to aid in the planning for the up and coming phases.
After finishing this project, I am continuing my apprenticeship under Site Manager Peter Clelford on a large (circa £8.5million) new cold storage and distribution warehouse for Gomez.

Why have you chosen this route into the industry?

“The reason I have chosen this route into the industry is due to the fact you are able to gain practical experience as well as the theoretical knowledge required to become a good Site Manager. Although studying construction in full time education may give you a good base of knowledge, it does not necessarily teach you how to put in into practice when facing real world challenges.”

What skills have you improved during your apprenticeship?

“The main skills I have improved on during my apprenticeship would be task sequencing and management. I have gained the ability to speak to all trades with confidence as a result of the knowledge I have gained through my training. I am also now able to understand detailed drawings of the build and what needs to be completed to achieve what is shown within the drawings. I have also learnt how to safely run a building site and what control measures need to be implemented before aspects of work can start.”

Why would you suggest and apprenticeship to anyone thinking of enrolling?

“You are able to gain hands on experience in a safe environment. It is a large benefit being able to get the education you need whilst earning a wage at the same time. In my personal opinion an apprenticeship provides accelerated learning due to the fact that you can see how different aspects are put together and the time period that they take/ issues that may be encountered whereas when learning within a classroom environment these issues may not be considered and therefore are not as accurate as a real life situation.”