Here we take a look at an apprentices experiences of working as a Jones Bros.
Kevin Keicher, 25, from Ballingry in Fyfe, Scotland, began a plant operation apprenticeship with Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK in February 2015. Here, he describes what his first year has been like.
“I first thought about an apprenticeship while I was working as a labourer at a landfill project in Wick. I enjoyed the work but there wasn’t really anywhere I could progress with it. Fortunately, the site manager told me about the apprenticeships at Jones Bros, and it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“An average day’s training starts at 7:30am, just as it does when you’re working on site. Its training and courses like this that I never thought I’d be working towards. I’ve been here for more than a year now and I’ve learned so much in that time. When I was labouring, that was it – there was nothing else to learn or a way forward, but the apprenticeship has given me a lot. I’ve got six or seven categories on my cards, and also completed my first aid and the street works course, both of which I would never have thought of doing. They keep giving me other courses to do which is fantastic.
“We received a lot of help and support from the trainers and the team on site are also really encouraging and have similar qualifications and experiences: they are there to help when it’s needed.
“I have now completed my training and am enjoying my work. I am glad my old site manager told me about the apprenticeships.
“Looking forward, I’d like to carry on completing additional courses and picking up new skills, and maybe look at a management course at some point. I know Jones Bros is trying to build up its own workforce from within, so hopefully I’ll be able to work my way up to higher roles as time goes on.”