Wirral Life September 2017 | Page 87

MEET THE FORSHAW GROUP APPRENTICES SAMANTHA DRUMMOND, 20 STARTED MARCH 2017 APPRENTICE ADMINISTRATOR JOE CHELLEW, 20 STARTED OCTOBER 2015 APPRENTICE DESKTOP SURVEYOR MICHAEL DRYHURST, 21 STARTED OCTOBER 2015 APPRENTICE DRYING TECHNICIAN “Prior to joining The Forshaw Group, I had various other roles in different industries which helped me decide that I wanted a career in an office based role. Although I had experience of working in an office environment, I didn’t have any knowledge about the construction sector. Over the last 6 months, with help from my colleagues, I have gained a greater knowledge of the construction sector and my responsibilities within the administration department have grown as a result. As part of the Apprenticeship Academy, I am really grateful for the opportunity to complete my Level 3 Business Administration whilst working in a role I enjoy. On completion of my Level 3 Business Administration, I hope to complete my Level 3 in Accountancy which I have already started. The Academy offers the opportunity to meet other apprentices and clients throughout the country during various activity days such as the Innovation Day at The Building Research Establishment (BRE) HQ in Watford, this also gave me an insight into how fire and floods can happen and be prevented. I am really looking forward to the future ahead of me with The Forshaw Group and being a part of the Apprenticeship Academy.” “At this stage in my life, I had no real idea what I wanted to do as a career. I didn’t have any amount of building knowledge, but figured out I needed to do something with my life. As the months went by, and a lot of help from colleagues and management, I slowly started to build up my building knowledge and confidence, I started to realise this was something I could see myself doing for a long time to come. Next month I will be starting college to complete a HNC qualification in construction to become a qualified surveyor, something I never thought I would see myself doing. The Forshaw Group and Apprenticeship Academy has opened a lot of doors for me and created a lot of pathways I never thought I would take. Taking part in the Apprenticeship Academy days also helped me to build new relationships with colleagues, other apprentices around the country and interact with different clients of The Forshaw Group, by taking part in numerous charity events and team bonding days, such as climbing mount Snowdon, a visit to BRE HQ in Watford and multiple charity runs with the Tri-4-Life foundation. By being part of the Apprenticeship Academy and The Forshaw Group, I know there will be a great future ahead of me.” “I had an idea that I wanted to pursue a career in the construction industry, as my family are part of this industry. I didn’t have building knowledge only what my family had taught me. As the months went by, and a lot of help from colleagues and management, I slowly started to build up my building knowledge and confidence as an apprentice drying technician. I started to realise this was something I could see myself doing for a long time to come. Through working for the Forshaw Group over the past 2 years, I have completed my Level 2 in multi skill construction giving me confidence to pursue becoming a drying technician, and knowledge of the construction industry. I am now working for The Forshaw Group on a full time basis running my own drying jobs as a drying technician and currently sitting to achieve a BDMA accreditation. The Forshaw Group and Apprenticeship Academy has opened a lot of doors for me and created a lot of pathways I never thought I would take.” wirrallife.com 87