FROM APPRENTICE TO MANAGING DIRECTOR: HOW APPRENTICESHIPS ARE OPENING DOORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Chris Cox started as an apprentice and went on to start his own construction business – Sterling Plastering Limited. He is now hoping to help the next generation of apprentices to enter the construction industry.
Chris Cox started as an apprentice and went on to start his own construction business – Sterling Plastering Limited. He is now hoping to help the next generation of apprentices to enter the construction industry. Now let’s hear his story…
Where it all began…
“I left school at aged 16 with good GCSE results however I was disengaged with the idea of continuing full time education although I had no idea what career or industry I wanted to pursue and eventually ended up working full time at a local fast food restaurant. I would start work everyday at 5AM and finish at 2PM, each day I would go home and spend hours searching for local apprenticeships as I knew earning whilst learning would be my only option when looking for a career due to not wanting to continue in education full time or in my current work place.
“I was offered an apprenticeship with a local construction company, this apprenticeship offer served as a lifeline to me and is the sole reason I have progressed to where I am today.”
Learning whilst earning
“After some time, I was offered an apprenticeship with a local construction company, this apprenticeship offer served as a lifeline to me and is the sole reason I have progressed to where I am today. Whilst completing my apprenticeship I learnt on the job as well as attending college on a day release basis and it felt good to be back around people of a similar age in the classroom whilst also having the opportunity to earn and progress with my employer. I completed by apprenticeship successfully and following the company I was working for unfortunately going into administration I was employed by a national house builder and continued into further education at night school before being promoted to Quantity Surveyor aged 21.
The start of Sterling Plastering Limited
“I really enjoyed working in such a professional environment however I longed for the days at my first employer where due to them being a smaller business I was involved in all aspects of the business from relationship building to accounting and I decided to incorporate my own construction business, in partnership with my old boss.
“Seven years later and Sterling Plastering Limited has thrived under our direction and as we continue to plan growth for the business it is now time for me to repay that lifeline I was handed and to pass this to others in way of new apprenticeships.”
The Construction industry is changing, modern methods of construction are becoming a reality and I want our business to embrace this and the best way we can foresee to do this is through apprenticeships.
