This week marks the 15th National Apprenticeship Week, an annual event which aims to showcase the positive impact apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses, and the economy.
To celebrate the week-long campaign and promote the fantastic benefits apprenticeships can have, Apprentice Engineer, Luke McIsaac, speaks about his role within Esh Construction and why he would encourage other young people to consider an apprenticeship in the construction industry.
Working within Esh’s civil engineering division, the 20-year-old from Gateshead, is currently studying a Level 4 in Construction Engineering at New College Durham.
What is your background before you secured the apprenticeship?
After I finished school, I chose to study A-Levels at Sixth Form. However, once I had completed my A-Levels I started looking for apprenticeships as I didn’t want to remain in full-time education. I found the opportunity at Esh via the website and started in July 2021.
What made you want to work in the construction industry?
I have always had an interest in construction, particularly large-scale civil engineering structures. When I finished my A-Levels I wanted to get stuck in, and I knew working for Esh would give me the opportunity to begin a career in engineering and provide me with hands-on experience in the construction industry.
Explain how you have progressed since you first started your apprenticeship?
I came into the apprenticeship fairly blind with little knowledge about the role. However, I coped and I have gained more and more responsibility since I started. I’ve recently became more independent – the Senior Engineer’s and Project Manager’s I work with are comfortable with me setting out, surveying and interpreting drawings.
What would you say to another young person who was considering a career in construction?
Construction is a great sector to work in, there are always jobs and new opportunities. If you genuinely have an interest in construction as well, it makes your work more rewarding. If full time education isn’t for you, I have found that I am excelling in part-time education where I’m able to use my site work to aid me in my academic studies.
What is a typical day at work like for you?
I work on site spending most of my time setting out, surveying, interpreting designer’s drawings or assisting gangs in understanding the drawings to ensure the works are carried out correctly.
What are your future career goals?
I aim to stay in engineering as it is a side of construction that I’m really enjoying. I like setting out and then experiencing the physical construction. I also enjoy the independence of the role and the problem-solving tasks that come with the job. Speaking to other staff on site I understand that a start in engineering can also lead to Project Manager jobs or other roles within the company, which may be something that I consider in the future.
Construction is a great sector to work in, there are always jobs and new opportunities. If you genuinely have an interest in construction as well, it makes your work more rewarding. If full time education isn’t for you, I have found that I am excelling at part-time education where I’m able to use my site work to aid me in my academic studies.”
