With careers in construction under the spotlight following the Chancellor’s £600m investment into training the industry’s next generation of talent, there has never been a better time to explore where the sector could take you.
At O’Brien Contractors, we’ve been championing the careers of young people in construction for over 20 years and during that time, hundreds of apprentices have passed through our sites and developed into highly skilled contractors that are now leaving their mark on the industry.
One of those currently climbing through the ranks is Harley Morgan, a 20-year-old apprentice engineer from Halesowen. Joining the company in October 2023, Harley has just completed his first academic year at South and City College, Birmingham, with another two years yet to come.
Harley, what was it about civil engineering that first interested you?
“Construction as an ever-growing industry has always intrigued me. It is interesting the amount of thought, materials and work that go into projects that are seen and used every day.
“As I wasn’t interested in going to university after college, an apprenticeship was the ideal option to continue my education while gaining on the job experience and saving for my future – the construction industry was the perfect avenue to achieve that.”
What made O’Brien Contractors stand out against other apprenticeship providers?
“A few people I know already work at O’Brien and they recommended them to me. Looking into the company, they stood out to me for their numerous respected projects across the country and their ‘family’ approach to employees.
“For me, a typical day includes creating permits for works to carry out on site, setting out curbs and footpaths, as well as carrying out weekly routine machine inspections and toolbox talks with the team. But my biggest skill learnt so far has been to use the GPS and the instrument for setting out and surveying. This is a vital part of my role and is used in many scenarios on site. It is quite complex however, so I still have some learning to do.”
That’s great to hear, Harley, we’re glad you’re enjoying your time with us so far. Are you glad you followed the apprenticeship route, opposed to other education paths?
“In my opinion, an apprenticeship has been more suitable for me as it almost combines both university and a full-time job. While university students come out with a great education, they most likely have student debt, and with little time for part-time jobs whilst studying away from home, having to provide for themselves may be challenging.
“Going into full-time work would have provided me with financial stability but potentially left limited room for my career progression and long-term goals without getting any further education. An apprenticeship provides me with both an education without debt, and working experience while earning, allowing me to save and provide for myself.”
What would you say to other people considering an apprenticeship in construction?
“I would recommend that they take the opportunity to do it. The ability to gain skills and knowledge both on site and through studying is invaluable. Being able to work, earn for yourself and gain a qualification with no debt is a great head start to have in life.”
If you’re ready to take the next step towards a future in construction, we want to hear from you. We offer on average two apprenticeship placements per year: four practical days a week on site, and the other in college or university, learning the theory behind the trade and ensuring you come away with a registered qualification or degree at the end of your experience.
Get in touch with us via email, and let’s get your career off the ground.