Becoming a Brickwork Apprentice can help you build your career potential

Ever thought about a career in Brickwork or one of the construction trades?  Well now is the ideal time to find out how an Apprenticeship at Scarborough TEC could help you on the road to career success.

Scarborough TEC is Scarborough’s only college graded Outstanding by Ofsted and we have spoken to current and former Brickwork Apprentices to find out how the hands-on training they received through an Apprenticeship has boosted their careers. Scarborough TEC’s Brickwork Tutor, Dave Marshall, explained:

“Apprenticeships are a key provision for us because they combine traditional learning techniques with the unique opportunity to learn and develop those skills actually working in the career you are planning on going into. Apprentices will typically spend one day a week at Scarborough TEC and the rest of the time with an employer on site.

“The trade is currently experiencing a skills-gap, meaning that 29% of jobs are hard to fill because there aren’t enough trained Bricklayers, so now is a perfect chance for anyone looking for a rewarding career in construction. Over the years we have seen so many former students and Apprentices go onto career success and it really makes me proud to think that we have been such a big influence on the lives of these young people.”

One former Apprentice making a name for himself in the industry is 27-year-old Kyle May.  Kyle set up his business, Kyle May Brickwork, in 2013 and, as one of 72% in industry who are self-employed, he now employs other Apprentices through Scarborough TEC himself, Kyle said:

“I originally started as an Apprentice with Jepson’s Builders and, while I didn’t choose to go into Brickwork, I feel very lucky that I have.  Brickwork is an art and it’s there for everyone to see. When I finished my Apprenticeship I left the trade and went to Australia for two years, where I picked it back up again, I then decided to set up my own business when I got back.

“There is such a demand at the minute and there just aren’t enough skilled people to do it.  When you become a Bricklayer you pick up other general aspects of building too, things like building, tiling and plastering.

“I have now started employing Apprentices through Scarborough TEC because it’s good for business, it’s good to keep in contact with Dave and the college.  There are also other benefits like Government grants and being able to offset their wages against tax.”

The industry currently employs 98% males and 2% females, with an estimated wage for a qualified Bricklayer of up to £250 per day, depending on experience.  18-year-old Kai Ellis is currently training as a Bricklaying Apprentice with Kyle after completing a Level 1 Mult-Skills course at Scarborough TEC.  Kai added:

“I showed Kyle some of the work I’d done on the course, he took me on for a trial and then I started working for him.  A lot of the time I’m putting mixes in, loading bricks and doing other things I can to help out.  You learn something new every day and it’s great doing something you enjoy.  We learn the theory and practical side at college and I really enjoy it.”

For more information about Apprenticeship opportunities available at Scarborough TEC visit scarboroughTEC.ac.uk or call 01723 372105.