Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to gain career experience and earn while they learn.

Our repairs partner, Ian Williams, is committed to providing apprenticeships so people can learn skills they need to have a career in housing and construction.  They offer opportunities in trades like painting and decorating, electrics, plumbing and heating, carpentry, all of which are in huge demand.

15% of the Ian Williams’ workforce are apprentices or Trainee Surveyors.   Their award-winning Ian Williams’ Academy set up in 2016 makes sure apprentices are looked after, encouraged and if all goes well, are employed at the end of the programme.

But what’s being an apprentice really like day to day? How much classroom work is there versus ‘on the tools’?   Jake Towner, who is about to finish his three apprenticeship as a fully fully-fledged Painting and Decorating Operative, shares what a typical day is like as part of the Ian Williams’ painting team.

“I am currently working on painting the communal areas of a block of flats. This is pretty typical work for our team; we also do a lot of external painting too. I work on site 4 days a week (Tuesday – Friday) and I attend college on a Monday. This is a great buffer to my work with Ian Williams, it supports my work onsite and allows me to learn more about general knowledge and technical skills we may not cover very often on site, like wallpapering, which is a big part of my final exam.

“Other projects I have worked on include care homes, which I really enjoyed. The colour choices were far more adventurous! We also have to be mindful of the residents, ensuring that we don’t cause any hazards for them while we are working. For example, we use alternative floor protection in care homes as dust sheets are a big trip hazard for the residents.

“A typical day on site starts at 8am. Often I am collected from home by a colleague, or I can get the train to site. We meet then get ready, ensuring we have all the equipment we need for the day ahead. We work throughout the day, with regular breaks, usually finishing up around 4.30.

Depending on the site and the area we’re working in, we typically work in pairs, filling, corking, prepping and painting. Now that I am nearing the end of my apprenticeship, I am trusted to work on my own. That trust has been built up throughout my training, where working alongside a foreperson and mentor has provided me with the on-the-job skills I need to do my work and stay safe.

“The team have been so supportive. They are patient and willing to spend time educating to help me improve, and if I make a mistake, they’re understanding and help me to put it right. They are also generous, giving me a lift to site when I can’t get there. This was my biggest concern when I started out, but it’s never been an issue. There’s a fantastic team spirit, we stay in touch throughout the day and look out for each other on site.

“Variations to my day include our monthly toolbox talks where we learn about, for example, health & safety. I also have regular reviews to see how I’m getting on with managers from within the business.

“All in all, I enjoy being a painter. I initially did a multi-trade course at college for a year to help me decide where I would like to specialise. I enjoyed the painting and decorating the most, so I was delighted to be offered a place from the college and a role within Ian Williams.”

You can apply for an Ian Williams’ apprenticeship in Spring each year. So if you, a family member or friend are interested in learning a trade and taking a first step to a rewarding career, check the Ian Williams academy page early next year. Or keep an eye on their Facebook and LinkedIn pages.