CITY Building has marked Scottish Apprenticeship Week by launching its apprenticeship application process for 2022.
The firm has highlighted Steven Cochrane, an apprentice electrician at the construction firm, as someone who felt disengaged at school and is now encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.
After visiting the business for a taster session while at school, Steven decided to apply for the four-year apprenticeship scheme and joined in October 2021. He now studies at City Building’s Queenslie Training Centre, with his time divided between the classroom and being on site.
Steven said, “I don’t know anyone else who works in construction, but I always thought I would like a job in the industry. I was 15 when I decided I wanted to be an electrician and I’m confident I made the right choice.
“I didn’t really enjoy school and I clashed with some teachers. I found it very repetitive, and it put me off higher education altogether. That’s why the apprenticeship is such a good option for me personally; the balance of studying towards my SVQ and working on site suits me well.
“I think a lot of people in this line of work have similar experiences with school. I just didn’t feel it was for me. With City Building, however, because it’s one of the bigger employers, you have so many options and opportunities to study in a way that suits you. There’s 12 of us in my class and this way of working is a good fit for each one of us.
“City Building is the best place I could have chosen for my apprenticeship. I feel supported and I’ve met a lot of people from different backgrounds because the business is such a big employer. Having so many different departments and roles across the business means that I can continually learn and add to my skill set. This means I can develop in my career in whatever pathway I wish, and that freedom is hugely inspiring.
“If anyone is considering an apprenticeship, I would say absolutely go for it. I haven’t given a lot of thought about the future, but I could see myself with City Building for a good while down the line.”
For more information about City Building’s apprenticeship scheme, visit: https://www.citybuildingglasgow.co.uk/careers-training/registration-and-application-process-for-city-building-glasgow-llp-apprentice-recruitment-2022/
