Lydia, from PlanBEE apprentice to Trainee Site Manager with Team Robertson
As well as offering routes into construction through our early career programmes, Robertson works in partnership with education providers in the communities where we work to provide training opportunities and support that helps young people into local employment.
One such partnership is with PlanBEE Manchester which offers an industry-led apprenticeship to fast track young people into careers in construction, architecture, engineering and project management. Robertson provides four-month placements for apprentices, providing hands-on experience in a live construction environment to build skills and knowledge.
Lydia joined us through PlanBEE and impressed us so much with her positive attitude and eagerness to learn that we offered her a full-time position as Trainee Site Manager. We asked her about her apprenticeship journey and what's next for her with Team Robertson.
Lydia, why choose a career in construction?
When I left school I went to college to do a foundation course in fashion. During the summer holiday I had the chance to work for my uncle who’s a building surveyor. He'd told me construction was a great industry to get into, and I enjoyed the work and experience of being on site so much I changed my career plan.
That led you to PlanBEE, how does the apprenticeship work?
It’s a two-year programme, blending college work and six rotational placements – and of course you get paid. For construction, the placements were set up by our tutors and covered various aspects including architecture, planning, surveying and project management. At the end of each placement I had to give a reflective presentation in front of tutors, classmates and PlanBEE sponsors (including Robertson) which was nerve-racking. By the end I’d completed a HND in Modern Methods of Construction.
Tell us about your placement with Robertson:
I worked on two sites over the four-month placement, both were new-build fire stations in the Manchester area – Whitefield Community Fire Station which included demolition works, and Blackley Community Fire Station. Robertson was my final placement so, by that point I was thinking about construction design as I liked working with the architects’ drawings, designating tasks and talking to the teams on site. But once I had a taste of planning, my focus shifted. Why was that? I liked the fact that when you’re working on the project programme, you’re creating something tangible, for instance the schedule and project activities.
What activities did you get involved in day-to-day?
As well as planning and design, I worked a lot with the quantity surveying teams, helping with orders, chasing up outstanding information and maintaining the FF&E schedule – that's the furniture, fixtures, equipment and some of the finishes needed for the build. Any challenges? This was my first taste of working on a structure like a fire station, so there were new things to learn. For instance understanding project progress, what’s involved in demolitions works, and the challenges and setbacks constructing a fire station brings.
What about skills, what have you learned or improved?
I wasn’t the most confident person at the start of my apprenticeship but, the more I’ve learned the more I’ve grown in confidence. It suited me learning on the job and putting into practice some of the things I’d learned at college. My communication skills are much stronger, for instance when I'm talking to the site management team and giving progress updates. I'm also far better at writing business emails and using software packages such as Excel and PowerPoint for work activities.
Any standout moments?
The whole placement was great but it was a memorable day when everyone from fire department came for lunch for the ground-breaking ceremony at Whitefield, and we all had our picture taken – I hadn't been involved in that type of event before.
In what ways were you supported at Robertson during your placement?
I felt supported by everyone – the project managers, quantity surveyors, site engineers… I knew they were all busy, all had things to do, but they still made time to show me around and explain the latest works on site.
Congratulations, you’re now a Trainee Site Manager with Team Robertson:
I hadn't expected the job offer at the end of my placement so it came as a very pleasant surprise. Of all the placements, Robertson was the one I enjoyed most because I was really taught how to do and use things, so saying yes was an easy decision.
How are you settling into your traineeship?
It's still early on but it’s been a smooth transition as it hasn’t been long since I finished my placement. It’s great to be back at Whitefield Community Fire Station and knowing I'll be seeing the project through to completion. As part of my traineeship I’ll soon be starting a BSc (Hons) in Construction Site Management which I know will be a lot of work but I’ll have the support of a great team around me.
Robertson Construction North West is proud to support the next generation of built environment professionals through our partnership with the PlanBEE Manchester Apprenticeship Programme – an innovative, industry-led higher apprenticeship offering young people a fast-track into careers in construction, architecture, engineering, and project management. The PlanBEE programme is delivered in collaboration with Manchester City Council, Manchester Life, Gateshead College, and a network of local employers.