How we work: Apprenticeships
We’ve employed apprentices every year since we first set up Lloyd & Gravell because we want to build and maintain a construction workforce fit for tomorrow. Our apprenticeship programme helps us do this and makes sure that valuable construction skills are passed on to future generations.
You can see the success of our apprenticeship programme in the awards our apprentices have achieved. These include:
- College Apprentice of the Year
- Welsh Learner of the Year
- Institute of Carpenters awards
- Nominations for the CITB Apprentice of the Year
- Participating in regional and national Skillsbuild competitions
Nominations from the Site Management Team are put forward for the annual Lloyd & Gravell Apprentice of the Year award.
The apprentice opportunities we offer
This is an exciting time to join the construction industry as significant changes and developments are underway. These include the creation of energy efficient buildings through a fabric first approach. We have completed and continue to work on projects certified against the Passivhaus standards.
We have opportunities in traditional construction works such as:
- Bricklaying
- Plastering
- Carpentry
We have also supported other apprenticeships that have led to qualifications to degree level which include:
- Accountancy
- Quantity surveying
- Project management
- Health and safety
- Construction management
- Leadership and management
Although not available through Lloyd & Gravell the industry offers a range of career opportunities in addition to the traditional construction trades which include design and consultancy opportunities such as:
- Architecture
- Building information modelling (BIM)
- Planning advice
- Structural and civil engineering
- Mechanical and electrical engineering
- Transport management
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s environmental assessment method)
- Waste management
- Acoustics
Interested in joining us as an apprentice?
View our current vacancies
What if you’re not sure what you want to do?
We offer work experience placements so you can find out first-hand what a particular role involves. Sometimes we find that someone may show an interest in, for example, carpentry, but once they’ve spent time on site, they discover they have an aptitude for another trade which they find more rewarding. Of course, work experience can also help you know you made the right choice.
It’s important you enjoy what you do, so please take time to research the career opportunities available. It can help to talk to people in similar roles, and we’d be happy to help you with this.
Would you like to join us as an apprentice?
If you’re interested in joining us as an apprentice, look at our current vacancies.
If you’d like to talk to us to find out more, call us on 01269 861160.
Or read Craig’s story below and discover more about where an apprenticeship can take you.
Craig's story
Craig, Site Manager - When I was at school I knew that I did not want to go to university and preferred to pursue a career where I could continue to learn whilst working. Having explored the available options I decided to apply for a carpentry apprenticeship with Lloyd & Gravell. I started my apprenticeship with L&G in September, 2009. This style of learning appealed to me as I was working, earning a wage whilst developing my practical skills, knowledge and experience on site. I was also able to put into practice on site the theory I was being taught at college.
Having qualified as a carpenter I worked in this role up until 2014 when I became a Senior Craftsperson/Site Supervisor and was responsible for supervising some of our smaller residential contracts, supporting the Site Management Team and mentoring carpentry apprentices. In 2016 I was successful in securing a Site Foreman position. Over the next 2 years I attended college on day release to complete my NVQ Level 4 in Construction Management. As part of my personal and professional development I was given additional responsibilities and higher value contracts to manage and deliver. In 2020 I was successful in obtaining a Site Manager position and have just completed the delivery of the new Design & Build Passivhaus Primary School at Gorslas, Llanelli.
Every day is different, and each project presents new challenges, which helps me continue to learn and develop my skills. I also enjoy mentoring apprentices and people on work experience placements and taking part in community events such as school careers fairs, which help attract new talent into the industry.
While it’s rewarding to look back at the difference we’ve made in refurbishing existing buildings or creating new facilities, it’s also extremely rewarding to support apprentices and trainees and see them transform into the craftsmen and women of the future. It’s vital we pass on our skills to future generations.
Next Step Apprenticeship Programme
The Next Step Apprenticeship Programme was established in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association, CYFLE and Coleg Sir Gar in 2010 and ran for a period of 10 years up to 2020. The programme was established to provide training opportunities and on site experience for local people wishing to join the industry.
Successful candidates attended Coleg Sir Gar to undertake Health & Safety training and were provided with have a go sessions across the construction trades before proceeding to the 6 weeks on site work experience with the company.
The programme provided:
- Interview experience for in excess of 100 candidates for the majority it was their first.
- 75 individuals with a two-week college induction.
- 75 Health & Safety training
- 75 CSCS tests
- 75 on-site work experience for six weeks.
- 20 entered traditional apprenticeships with Lloyd & Gravell.
- The remainder were given the opportunity to follow the pathways, shared apprentice and traditional training routes with the remaining partners.
- Community benefits schemes being delivered to a range of facilities across Carmarthenshire
What we do
for the public and private sector.
And help build outstanding communities