Building My Future: Why I Chose an Apprenticeship in Construction

Written by: Keniea Russell

If you’re in college or sixth form and feeling unsure about your next step (or you know you want to do an apprenticeship but aren’t sure where exactly to begin) then this article is for you! I’ll share my journey into the construction industry, how I found my apprenticeship, and most importantly, how to start gaining work experience (even if it feels impossible right now, trust me I’ve been there too).

1. Wait... Me In Construction?

Hi, I’m Keniea, and I’m an Apprentice Project Manager specialising in infrastructure.

I never imagined myself working in construction, especially as a girl. My perception of the industry was hard hats, getting my hands dirty and being outdoors all day, which are all things that did not feel like me.

However, I’ve always loved connecting with people (I was that kid who got moved for chatting too much in class), making a genuine positive impact on them and solving problems. That’s what drew me to project management and eventually led me to an apprenticeship.

When I first stepped into the construction industry, I was genuinely surprised by how varied it was, not just by the types of roles, but also in the people too. Of course, I still put on my PPE and travel to site every now and then, but most of my days consisted of:

• Spent in the office working with working closely with a team to tackle challenges and keep my project moving in the right direction.

• Focus on communication and teamworking more than I ever expected working in project management.

• Construction is not just about building structures; it’s about building connections.

2. Why I Picked an Apprenticeship over University

So, you’re probably thinking why an apprenticeship over university, for me the decision was very clear, and it came down to three main reasons:

My Reasons	Reason Why?
I knew exactly what I wanted to do	After extensive research, shadowing professionals in the field and spending a week interning at an engineering consultancy, I was confident project management was the path for me. I didn’t feel the need for the flexibility that university offers (like switching courses or exploring different modules) because I was already sure of my direction.
I learn better through doing	As much as I loved my time in college, I realised that sitting exams and revising from textbooks just wasn’t the most effective way for me to learn and I didn’t really want to continue that structure. Don’t get me wrong, coursework, lectures and seminars are still very much a part of my degree apprenticeship, but around 80% of my learning comes from hands-on experience. I get to try things out, make mistakes, and work out my own way of being a project manager. It makes the university side of things much easier, because I’ve already done a lot of what I study at work!
I was willing to lose out on certain things to gain the benefits I could obtain through an apprenticeship	Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits such as earning a competitive wage, a degree without the burden of student debt, and building real-world technical skills, however there are also sacrifices that often go unspoken: It can be lonely at times, especially when your routine looks very different from your friends. Also, you will miss out on some of the freedom and spontaneity that comes with traditional university life. Juggling work with academic commitments is not easy. For me, these were small sacrifices compared to the opportunities I’ve gained, and I was ready for the challenge!

Although this wasn’t necessarily the traditional route, this journey has helped me thrive professionally and personally in ways I could’ve never imagined. This was the best decision for my future!

3. How I Got Started (And How You Can Too!)

I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship, and I knew the industry I wanted to enter but that was only the first step. Figuring out how apprenticeships worked was much harder because there were not a lot of resources out there. Careers Fairs were packed with universities while apprenticeships were barely visible and back then, AI wasn’t as advanced as it is now, so searching for guidance online wasn’t always helpful either.

However, there were a few key things that helped me find my way and make informed decisions:

1. Finding openings: Pursuing an apprenticeship in a more niche field (unlike more common paths such as finance, law, or engineering) meant I first had to figure out which companies even operated in the industry, let alone which ones offered apprenticeships. One resource that really helped me get started was a website called Unifrog. Its apprenticeship tracker allowed me to search by industry, level, and location, and offered loads of useful tools that made the process feel much more manageable. Other useful websites for finding apprenticeships include Apprentago, which works similarly to Unifrog, and the government’s Find Apprenticeship Training service, which lists available training courses.

2. Applying Early: Apprenticeships open at different times throughout the year, but from my experience, the main application window for larger firms tends to be between December and March. Keeping track of all the deadlines can be tricky, especially if you're a full-time student like I was. That period overlaps with the pressure of A-levels or other qualifications, plus UCAS applications, so staying organised is essential.

   
   

   One thing that really helped me manage everything was creating an Excel spreadsheet to track the apprenticeships I was interested in, along with their opening dates. As soon as applications opened, I’d apply early. This approach reduced my stress later, because I could shift my focus to revision without worrying about missing deadlines or rushing applications.

For further information about staying organised, check out Next Gen Hub's blog on all things time management:

3. Utilise LinkedIn: This is one thing I definitely did NOT do but it would’ve made my life so much easier). At the time, I didn’t really see the value of LinkedIn; it just felt like “social media for professionals,” and as a college student, I didn’t think it was relevant but now I realised how powerful it can be. LinkedIn gives you direct access to people working in your field, lets you message professionals for advice, and even allows you to connect with employers. Companies also post opportunities like work experience, apprenticeships or other openings.

For advice on how to start on LinkedIn TODAY, check out Next Gen Hub's guide packed full of tips:

Now that I’ve covered how I found my apprenticeship, let’s talk about something even trickier (and probably what you’re more curious about) how I managed to gain relevant work experience before applying.

4. How I Found Work Experience (Without Connections)

At first, finding work experience felt nearly impossible. I couldn’t find anything specific to my industry, and I didn’t have any personal connections in the field, it felt like a dead end. Once I shifted my mindset and started viewing work experience differently, things began to change by becoming more proactive and open to different types of opportunities. Here are the key things that helped me turn things around and make progress making what seemed out of touch feel like reality:

1. Use Your Network: When I started out, I didn't realise that I had a network already around me. Family, friends and teachers can be powerful sources of support and connections without us realising it. Sometimes, opportunities come from places you least expect which was what happened to me. One of my first work experiences came from a conversation in my psychology class, where we were discussing our parents jobs. I asked a friend if her mum would let me shadow her, and a few weeks later, I was gaining insight into life as a business analyst. It all started by not being scared to ask.

   
   

2. Online Work Experience: There’s a wide range of virtual work experience opportunities out there through platforms like Springpod and Barclays LifeSkills which are easier to access than in-person placements and focus on developing essential workplace skills like problem-solving and decision-making. Also, some Springpod programmes are run in partnership with well-known companies, which can boost your CV massively!

3. Think Outside the Box: Finding project management-specific work experience was a real challenge for me as I didn’t know anyone in the field, and opportunities felt almost non-existent. I didn't give up and changed my approach to focus on gaining the core skills that every project manager needs, like communication, organisation, and problem-solving, through other experiences.

   
   

   One such experience was when I had the chance to offer free English lessons to a Ukrainian refugee which pushed me to be organised, as I had to plan lessons around my own studies, and it strengthened my communication skills by working with someone who didn’t share the same language background. This experience taught me that valuable skills can be developed outside of traditional industry placements, and they’re just as important when applying for apprenticeships.

4. Be Proactive: One of the biggest lessons I learned is that YOU have to actively seek out opportunities as they won't come to you. Work experience benefits you far more than the company offering it, so the motivation to find it has to come from you at the end of the day! So, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn for advice (just be respectful of their time and don’t expect instant replies), email companies to express your interest and make the most of the resources your sixth form or college provides. These small actions can make a big difference and open doors you didn’t even know existed!

Finding work experience wasn’t easy, but by staying open-minded and determined helped me turn challenges into opportunities.

5. Final Thoughts: Your Future, Your Way

Choosing an apprenticeship in construction wasn’t just about avoiding student debt or jumping into the world of work, it was about finding a path that truly aligned with who I am and how I learn. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to follow a traditional route, but your future doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to be successful.

If you’re unsure, that’s okay. Whether it’s reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, attending a careers fair, or speaking with a careers advisor, every action brings you closer to your future!

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn below

Keniea Russell