Ingleton Wood Invests in Future Talent With Six “Amazing Apprentices”

Six new apprentices have joined property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood as the Practice strives to upskill the next generation of leaders within the built environment.

Since 2017, Ingleton Wood has offered degree apprenticeships for budding architects, engineers and surveyors to develop its workforce and help address the industry skills shortage. The Construction Skills Network estimates the sector needs 216,800 additional workers by 2025 to meet demand.

The Practice’s 2022 cohort are aged 17-21 and are also benefitting from a blended learning approach, studying at University or College and working part-time alongside the Practice’s teams without having to pay tuition fees.

Ruby Oxley, 17, enrolled on a Business Administration Apprenticeship in Colchester, was previously in full-time higher education but said she felt “it wasn’t the right path for me”.

She said: “I wanted to be learning and earning qualifications in a more hands-on way, and after a lot of research into apprenticeships I realised it was the right option for me. I’m really enjoying my role along with the responsibility and independence it gives me at a young age.

“Being a young inexperienced person going into a team of professionals can be such a daunting thought for someone wanting to start an apprenticeship, but at Ingleton Wood, everyone is treated equally and the training and support network is amazing.

“I’m very happy here and I believe being happy in your role and enjoying your job is the main ingredient in having a successful career and reaching your goals.”

Ingleton Wood currently employs 17 apprentices in total on a variety of courses and programmes related to the built environment. The Practice also has two students on one-year industrial placements for Architecture and Building Services.

Mark Austin, 19, who joins Ingleton Wood’s Billericay office as an Architectural Assistant Apprentice, said: “I had applied to study architecture at a couple of universities in London but I was searching for apprenticeships in the industry as well, so when the role at Ingleton Wood came up, it was local and absolutely ideal for me, so I applied.

“Everyone has been friendly and supportive in the architectural team, and I’ve enjoyed getting involved with preliminary 3D modelling of designs, site surveys, and other drawings.

“I wanted to join the construction industry after taking into account the current climate situation. Thinking from an environmental perspective during the construction process is crucial, and after becoming a qualified architect I aspire to specialise in the environmental and sustainability side of architecture.”

Ingleton Wood’s apprentices are based across the East of England and Oxfordshire and benefit from regular group teambuilding and training days.

Holly Sutherland, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Ingleton Wood, said: “Building on our commitment to invest in the long-term development of our workforce and help address the industry skills gaps, we are delighted to welcome six new amazing apprentices following strong demand for our 2022 apprenticeship recruitment programme.

“We recently held a training and social event for our apprentices to build relationships and share our ideas and ambitions, and it was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other across our offices. We look forward to providing practical and technical support and seeing our budding future leaders flourish with us over the coming years.” For anyone interested in apprenticeship opportunities at Ingleton Wood or to speak to someone about working in construction, please email recruitment@ingletonwood.co.uk.