Apprenticeship Week with Cairn Cross
Cairn Cross is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the success of our in-house training and development programmes and individuals.
As a civil engineering company, we offer a complete, fully funded apprenticeship, graduate qualification opportunities, and personal development to all our staff to unlock their potential and succeed in their career fields.
An apprenticeship with Cairn Cross allows crucial on-the-job training and experience gaining a wide array of skills and real-scenario problem-solving tasks which employees can use in the wider civil engineering industry. The apprenticeships available to our employees are intermediate NVQ Level 2 up to the Degree apprenticeship Level 6 & 7’s.
Training and Development Manager Jan Elliot shares, “Apprenticeships are a great way to empower and level up young people into work. Each apprentice is assigned a mentor, typically a site supervisor or site manager, who is there throughout the two or three-year apprenticeship to guide and assist the apprentice in completing their college coursework.
Apprenticeships and development programmes are a crucial part of the progress and growth of Cairn Cross, as we can nurture and offer education opportunities to enable a more robust, more diverse, skilled workforce”.
Lewis, our Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, has been with the business for nearly one year. During this time, he has worked on various projects with clients and worksite teams to broaden his knowledge and understanding.
“I have recently completed my HNC at college, so having the opportunity to go straight into full-time employment in my chosen field is incredible.
Day-to-day activities include overseeing budgets and organising quotes for the site teams. My next goal is to work towards a degree and lead more projects within the business. Everyone is highly supportive, which gives me the confidence to succeed in my studies and professional development with the company”.
“There is an increasing skills and labour shortage in the wider construction industry. Developing and giving people the resources and access to learning materials is essential to ensure a talented and successful workforce. An apprenticeship is an excellent route to upskill our current workforce and allows our colleagues to study at their own pace whilst gaining essential on-the-job experience” Ian Bald, Technical Director.
Stephen Ingham, Project Quantity Surveyor, added, “I lead on multiple projects at any time. I have been with Cairn Cross for four years, during which time I have completed my university degree in Quantity Surveying, achieving 1st class honours. Being a Quantity Surveyor means I talk to a range of stakeholders and clients across a wide range of disciplines, internally and externally, for the business.
When beginning my journey with Cairn Cross, I was helped enormously financially by the company covering my remaining tuition fees, allowing me the peace of mind to complete my studies without the added burden of further repayments. What also makes Cairn Cross unique in my experience is the close-knit feel between the team, from director level to the most junior/trainee roles, both on-site and office based.
As an SME, the progression path is clear, and the effort put into developing from a senior level downwards for all individuals is more significant than I have experienced in previous employment elsewhere. In addition, an ‘open-door policy’ means access to directors is frequently available and provides all employees with the reassurance that everyone is invested in the company’s progression and on the same page whilst simultaneously working towards increasing the business position and reputation”.
Cairn Cross apprentices are assigned a workbook to complete, which will help them understand the activities that are undertaken on-site, with regular reviews.
Regular meetings occur with the apprentice, mentor and training manager to ensure that progress is being achieved and the necessary support is provided. The company also works closely with the training provider to evaluate the apprentice’s performance and provide opportunities to put into practice on-the-job training to help the apprentice achieve their qualification.
In the last five years, Cairn Cross has provided apprenticeships for general construction operations, with three individuals completing a two-year apprenticeship.
We also have a Construction and the Built Environment Level 3 apprenticeship for our design engineer apprentices, which one employee is completing.
Other apprenticeships introduced into our training programmes include shuttering joiners, trainee civil engineers & groundworkers.
If you’re interested in starting your apprenticeship or developing your career with Cairn Cross, contact our team today about current vacancies and opportunities.
ith Cairn Cross, get in contact with our team today about current vacancies and opportunities.