Apprenticeships

Teenage carpenter hails housebuilder’s apprenticeship and now aims for management

- 29 Jan 20

View our video: A teenage carpentry apprentice from Gloucester is inspired to climb into management after the support he’s been shown at a national housebuilder.

Kyle Hanson, 19, works at Bovis Homes’ Oaklands location in Hardwicke and is four months into his three-year apprenticeship, through Gloucestershire College.

His comments come as the 13th National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 3rd to 7th February, celebrating apprenticeship success stories across the country.

Kyle, based at the Hunts Grove development, off Harrier Way, said he wanted to begin Bovis
Homes’ trainee assistant site manager programme (TASM) after completing his apprenticeship, which he added was a great way to get into construction.

He said: “I enjoy every day I come to work and I believe that carpentry is the right choice for me. I found the apprenticeship online, I read the description and realised straight away that was the apprenticeship I wanted to do.

“Since working with Bovis Homes, I’ve gained good management skills from my site manager. I’ve learnt about tools I haven’t used before - every day I learn something new and I’ve picked up new carpentry skills.

“My confidence has improved a lot. After my apprenticeship, I’d 100 per cent look into doing the trainee assistant site manager programme with Bovis Homes and hopefully work my way through to management.

“Bovis Homes’ apprenticeships are great because they support you with everything you need, it’s the best opportunity for a teenager who wants to learn and progress in a trade.

“It’s worked for me because everyone on site is amazing, they help with anything you need,
everyone’s supportive and you get good pay.”

Dean Fox, Bovis Homes project manager at Oaklands, added Kyle was a hard worker who had progressed well in his apprenticeship on the development. His work has included first fixing, and fitting joists and roof trusses.

Dean said: “Kyle’s done really well since he’s been part of the team at Oaklands. He’s confident and gets along with his colleagues - it's clear he’s dedicated to making a career in the housebuilding industry.”

Bovis Homes’ 12-month TASM programme aims to progress talented people within the company to assistant site manager and helps them gain the relevant qualifications.

The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Look Beyond’, highlighting the diversity and value apprenticeships bring to employers, apprentices and communities across England today.

Anne Milton, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills said: “Apprenticeships offer people of all ages and backgrounds a high-quality route to skilled employment with the option to train at every level in a range of exciting professions.”