Esh Construction has welcomed Gabriele D’Alessoi as he takes his first steps to become a site supervisor within Esh’s affordable housing division.
Recruited via Efficiency North’s award-winning flexi-apprenticeship scheme, EN:Able Futures, 20 year old Gabriele D’Alessoi has just completed his first month on site at St Michaels Avenue in Barnsley. The £5.4 million scheme is being delivered on behalf of Barnsley Council and will provide a mixture of homes for social rent, private sale and private rent.
What made you consider a career in construction?
When I was in school, I thought I would go into a business-related career. I studied business at A-level and didn’t give construction much of a thought. This was until a Trainee Site Manager came into school and gave a talk about construction and the roles it offered. This really opened my eyes to the whole industry.
What apprenticeship will you complete?
I will complete a Level 4 Site Supervisor HNC with Leeds College of building.
Are you currently enjoying your time on-site with Esh?
I have been with Esh for six weeks now and I have enjoyed every minute of it so far. In this time, it has allowed me to see different sides of construction that I never thought I would see. It has also been great to see the theory of construction put into reality. You learn about the works on site at college but to see it to happen in real life has been really good.
What would you say to a young person considering a career in construction?
Working in construction is not all tools and working outside. There are many different roles in construction that allows you to work both inside and out. I wish I knew about the different roles when I was in school as I would have taken a different route to learn a trade upon leaving school.
How is working on-site helping you with your college work, and equally how is your college work helping you working on-site?
As part of my apprenticeship, I have to gather evidence of the work I do on site. This could be drawings, quality control and cost which is all relevant to my college work. It’s great because I didn’t realise that the work that I would be doing on site would contribute to my college mark, so it gives me the extra incentive to complete the work to the best of my ability.
What does the future hold after your apprenticeship?
Once I have completed my level four apprenticeship at college, I plan to work my way up to a level six apprenticeship. From there I want to get a black CSCS card (site management card). After I have qualified, I want to gain a job in Project Management, specifically in sustainability.
Working in construction is not all tools and working outside. There are many different roles in construction that allows you to work both inside and out. I wish I knew about the different roles when I was in school as I would have taken a different route to learn a trade upon leaving school.”
