Barratt Developments

Could you tell us a little about your path into construction? How did you end up at Barratt Developments?

I wanted to go into the construction industry since leaving school at 16. I was always good with my hands, and although I could’ve gone to college, I was impatient to get stuck into work and get paid! I started my Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship in September 2018. We were held back for a couple of years from Covid, but in normal times I would’ve qualified after 18 months. 

How did you find the residential training?

It was a bit daunting at first – I’d just turned 17 and it was my first time living away from home. You stay with a local family and you’re on your own but with plenty of support. It was a great learning curve though. I used to be quite shy, but the experience forced me out of my shell and ultimately made me who I am today. The tutors were so great and supportive – I still regularly chat with them today.

How were your first days and weeks on site? How soon were you mucking in?

Great – it was really structured and I never felt scared or out of my depth. For the first three weeks, I shadowed the Bricklaying foreman, who took me under his wing and showed me everything I needed to know. I used to sit in the basement making pyramid formations of bricks, which became bigger and bigger walls, until I was eventually helping out on site.

And how did you end up doing a Site Manager apprenticeship? How are you finding it?

I made it clear from the off that I was interested in joining the site team. Luckily, my tutor believed in me and pushed me to apply once I’d passed my Level 2. Places are limited on this course, so you really have to want it – I did a lot of extra-curricular learning while college was suspended during Covid.

Finally, what are your plans for the future?  

There’s a clear path for progression with this course. I’m a trainee site manager now; after that I’ll be an assistant, then you can become a Site Manager, then a Senior. Personally, I’m very ambitious. I won’t stop until I’ve made it to the top.

Have you always wanted to work in construction? What led you to a Barratt apprenticeship?

I’ve wanted to go into joinery since playing with Lego as a little girl. It’s quite an artistic job, and very hands on, which suits me. At college, I spent two years studying Art, Design and Tech – including Woodwork. After that, I searched online for apprenticeships in my area and found Barratt. I applied and got an interview a week later.   

Apprentices in England begin training with a 3-week residential course - how did you find this?

I did my residential training at York College. I stayed with a host family, who were really friendly and cooked me food in the evenings. The good thing about training was getting to know everyone face to face. Apprentices travelled there from all over the country – you’d meet people from Manchester, York, Sheffield – and it was great to have all these people to contact if you needed help with the college assignments etc.

Although we’re trying to change things, bricklaying and carpentry still tend to be male-heavy professions. How have you found being a woman on the course?

It was a bit weird at first. People assumed that I’d need extra help or struggle with the physical lifting – someone even asked if I knew how to use a measuring tape! But having done Woodworking at college, I actually had a head start on most of the boys, and I only need to be shown something once for it to stick. Now they know me, everyone treats me with a lot of respect.  

Do you feel like your apprenticeship is preparing you for the world of work?

Definitely. There’s tonnes of support, but you’re also given responsibility straight away, which makes it easier to learn. Within the first hour on-site I was drilling a protection fence into a house! The apprenticeship is also really well paid. I’m managing to put 50% of my wages away, and plan to buy a house a few years after I qualify.

Finally, how do you feel about your future in the construction industry? Do you feel that the apprenticeship programme with Barratt has prepared you for where you want to go?

I’m en-route to qualify in March 2023. After that, I’ll do my Level 3, which’ll take me to 2024. A lot of companies only hire Level 3 Joiners, so it’s worth staying on at Barratt until then. Ultimately, my dream is to start my own female joinery company. I’d love to train other female apprentices and give them a start in the industry. Loads of elderly or single female customers are wary about having men on their property, so I think a female-only company would fill a big gap in the market!

What led you to an apprenticeship with Barratt?

This wasn’t actually my first apprenticeship - I used to work as a mechanic, but it wasn’t quite right for me and I wanted to try something new. Luckily, I was young enough to switch careers. I started the Level 2 carpentry apprenticeship in 2019. Usually it would take 3 years, but at Barratt, you can finish it in a year and a half. After that, I went onto my Level 3 apprenticeship, which is what I’m doing now.

How was the training? Could you describe your first day on site?

The training was great – everyone’s very supportive and you can go at your own pace. There’s plenty of tea breaks too! It’s not like the old days – you’re never expected to do something that you haven’t been trained up on. They take health and safety very seriously at Barratt. My first few days on site were spent getting used to working at a height and learning the tools. It’s a busier environment than I was used to –loads of people milling in and out. But I enjoy that – there’s a lot of banter and you’re never bored.

Could you describe a day in the life for a Carpenter apprentice?

Carpentry is split into ‘first fixers’ and ‘second fixers’. I was a second fixer when I started out: doing the finishing touches, such as skirting and hanging doors. Now I mainly work as a first fixer, which means that I build the skeleton of the house: cladding and roof building and laying floors. But a good chippie, in my opinion, should be able to do both.

How do you feel about finding work once you qualify?

I’m employed by Barratt but I already work with a subcontracting company as a part of my apprenticeship. Hopefully, they’ll take me on once I qualify, but either way, I definitely feel prepared.