News
wednesday 31st january 2024

Trainee carpenter from our South Midlands team tells benefits of his apprenticeship

To celebrate this year's National Apprenticeship Week (5-11 February), a trainee carpenter from our South Midlands team has described how becoming an apprentice has helped him in many ways. 

Apprentice

Learning his trade

‘Growing in confidence’ and ‘trade skills’ are just a couple of things Milton Keynes-based Kai Murdoch says he developed since starting his apprenticeship at the Newton Leys development near Milton Keynes. 

Kai, who is now undertaking an NVQ level 2 in Carpentry with our South Midlands team, wasn’t sure what to do once he finished school in 2020. Realising he didn’t want to have a job stuck inside, he started a Carpentry and Joinery course at Milton Keynes college before applying for his apprenticeship with us in 2022. 

Apprentice

Kai said: “Starting my apprenticeship has been eye-opening - it really has taught me so many things. As well as the trade skills I’m learning out on site, I’ve got myself into a routine, making sure I’m getting to work on time.

“It’s also helped develop me massively as a person; when I first started on site, I was pretty nervous, but I’ve since gained a lot of confidence. I now know what I am capable of and am starting to learn how to take on new projects and responsibilities.” 

Whilst he is enjoying the opportunities his apprenticeship creates on site, the 19-year-old apprentice says it's the little things for him, like installing a fence in his grandparents garden.

“My proudest moment so far has been helping out my nan and grandad with putting up a new wooden fence in their garden. It was a really good feeling to put the skills I’ve learnt to the test, see my work and know they were proud of me, too.”

Having seen the benefits of an apprenticeship first hand, Kai says ‘sticking to it’ is of paramount importance: “From my experience, you’ve got to stick to it. Not everyone likes college so it can be difficult to stay focused but it’s important to just learn as much as you possibly can whilst taking on all the advice you are given.”

Kai is just one of many apprentices employed across our South Midlands team. 

We pride ourselves on ensuring every new apprentice has a dedicated Apprentice Manager who works with them to achieve their goals and guide them through the process.  All apprentices are regularly reviewed by their manager and supported in various aspects, from wellbeing to health and safety and general care. Kai commented: “From funding new tools to aid my independent development to being approachable when I’ve got questions, Taylor Wimpey is on hand to support me at every stage of my apprenticeship.” 

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which takes place between February 5th - 11th, is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy. 

This year NAW is calling on individuals, employers, training providers and communities to get involved by encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help to provide #SkillsForLife.