It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2024, the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships across the UK.
This week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships, from businesses to students, to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunities that they bring, with this year’s theme celebrating ‘Skills for Life’.
At Polypipe Building Products, we have always had a strong group of apprentices within our workforce across various departments. As part of The 5% Club with Genuit Group, we are committed to 5% of our workforce being actively involved in recognised learning and work schemes such as apprenticeships, graduate trainee programmes, and student sponsorship.
Our apprentices have won awards for their work, are involved with the day-to-day operation of the company, and even developed innovative ways to reduce manufacturing costs onsite. But don’t just take our word for it, we caught up with some of our apprentices to find out what they think about apprenticeships at Polypipe Building Products.
Harry Sampson – Underfloor Heating Design Apprentice
“I chose an apprenticeship because I didn’t want to go down the path of a long university course after finishing my BTEC Level 3, and still found it difficult to find work after my HNC/HND to find a job due to a lack of practical experience. After a few months of starting my apprenticeship at Polypipe Building Products, I’d already picked up more practical skills and knowledge that I had from years of college.
Balancing a job alongside studies can seem like a lot from the outside, but with the proper support, it has been viable and well worth the effort. Anytime outside of my allotted college blocks that I needed to complete BTEC and NVQ work, I was given, and my line manager has always provided me with the work needed to complete specific work-based tasks. This has been incredibly helpful when it came to balancing work with my education.”
Joseph Lappin – Apprentice Toolmaker
“I originally chose an apprenticeship because the idea of going to college full-time and sitting a classroom wasn’t for me. Being able to do something that was practical and hands-on, whilst earning money, was a massive deal for me and I just thought an apprenticeship was the ideal option.
At Polypipe Building Products, every day is something different, learning every single day, learning from the best. People that work here have been here 40-plus years, so you are learning from people that have the most experience and every day you get better.
I see myself staying at Polypipe Building Products once my apprenticeship is over so I can keep learning and work my way up and just keep getting better.”
Karl Drury – Moulding Production Manager
“I was keen to complete my ILM Level 3 in Management qualification and going down the apprenticeship route was the best option. I initially started at Polypipe Building Products back in 1999 as an apprentice and feel this is a great way to learn new skills. I felt I was a little too ‘experienced’ to become an apprentice again, but I feel that earning whilst learning is a great way to gain a qualification.
The fact that I have worked at Polypipe Building Products for 25 years and held many different job titles speaks for itself; I thoroughly enjoy my job and it has been a great employer to me. I am always looking to develop, both as a person and professionally, and I am always given that opportunity here.”
Lavinia Stevenson – Product Design and Development Engineer
“I think what initially enticed me to an apprenticeship was the creative aspect within it and the ability to study and work at the same time. I also like the fact that there is always something new to learn and that it is such a vast subject. In fact, I think that I am still constantly learning withing my job role, even during day-to-day activities.
Although it can sometimes be challenging managing the balance between work and study, I am fully supported by my managers and Polypipe Building Products as a whole. This has allowed me to focus on my studies and create a better work life balance.
I would recommend an apprenticeship as it is extremely beneficial to anyone who is interested in the subject as I believe that it is a more rounded way of delving into the engineering field as you receive academic and practical knowledge that you can apply within your working role.”
Louis Stent – Toolmaker and Maintenance Apprentice
“I would 100% recommend apprenticeships to people rather than going to university or anything like that. This route means that you earn as you learn and don’t end up with student loan debt at the end of your studies.
Being able to learn and have a job at the same time is a real benefit that you only get with apprenticeships. You get to learn a trade and that is something that you are going to have for life and can always rely on.”
Maria Williams – LGV Cat CE Driver Apprentice
“Becoming an HGV driver was always a dream of mine, but having kids, I haven’t had the money to pursue it. I originally started at Polypipe Building Products in the security department, so when this apprenticeship opportunity came up, I grabbed it with both hands.
Anyone who mentions wanting to do an apprenticeship, I am telling them to go for it! To find somewhere that offers apprenticeships and go for it if it’s what you want to do. It’s a long haul but so worth it.
I’m hoping that I can be an inspiration for other people, especially women. To encourage them to do what they want to do, to go for it and not to let anything hold them back or anyone talk them out of it. An apprenticeship is one of the best things I’ve done, and I’d love to still be here seeing other apprentices come through, mentoring them, and sharing my experience. It would be perfect to see other apprentices come through and be part of their journey.”
To find out more about National Apprenticeship Week visit www.naw.appawards.co.uk/.