Building links with employers leads to Apprenticeship success

A visit to a University of Wolverhampton Open Day resulted in one student finding an Apprenticeship with a national construction company.

Jagroop Dhillow, 18, from Barr Beacon School, Birmingham, was interested in pursuing a career in Quantity Surveying, when he attended the Open Day at City Campus in Wolverhampton to seek advice on courses and career choices.

Using their significant contacts with employers, the Built Environment team contacted VINCI Construction UK and made arrangements for Jagroop to attend an interview.  He was offered a full-time position as a trainee Quantity Surveyor and is now studying the Chartered Surveyor Higher Apprenticeship Degree in Quantity Surveying.

Paul Hampton, Head of Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton, said:  “We continue to maintain our strong links with employers and the built environment sector and are delighted we could facilitate the outstanding opportunity for Jagroop. We offer a range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeship pathways for people who are already employed or for students who can be matched with the right employer.

“We’re seeing that more and more ‘A Level’ students consider the Apprenticeship route, looking to earn whilst they learn and by understanding how VINCI Construction UK operate Jagroop seemed to be a perfect fit with their business and it made sense to facilitate a meeting to put them in touch.”

Michelle Curzon, Head of Academy at VINCI Construction UK, said:  “The Academy is part of the learning and development department and we deal with the recruitment of trainees and apprentices and, from the construction side of the business, trainee quantity surveyors, trainee engineers and construction managers.

“Jagroop stood out as being someone who was really enthusiastic and was keen to join the industry – he applied for the trainee position through the normal channels and after being short-listed, was successful in securing the Apprenticeship with us.”

Jagroop said:  “I had completed some work experience with VINCI Construction UK and it was a great company – definitely someone I wanted work for – so when I attended the University Open Day I was really excited that there were some links in place with this particular company.

“The University and the Apprenticeship Hub really supported me through the process and now I’m working full-time as a trainee Quantity Surveyor whilst studying at the same time, one day a week, for my Higher/Degree Apprenticeship qualification which is a dream come true for me.”

Anyone interested in studying for an Architecture or Built Environment course or Apprenticeship should visit the next Open Day on Saturday 17^th February 2018.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 19^th December 2017