Embarking on an apprenticeship with Ingleton Wood is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and kick-start your career in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Our team are committed to nurturing emerging talent, providing apprentices with real-world projects, expert mentorship, and opportunities for growth across multiple disciplines.
Discover more about our apprenticeship opportunities firsthand through insights shared by our own apprentices...
Stelios Charalambous | Building Services Design Engineer Apprentice – London
Why did you choose an apprenticeship, and why Ingleton Wood?
There are benefits of an apprenticeship that differ from studying full time, such as gaining real-life experience whilst earning money and no debt from university. I have previously struggled with retaining information through purely academic studying, but studying as an apprentice, I’ve been able to process theoretical information more effectively via practical applications in the workplace, it’s a great way to learn about the industry.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I work on a variety of projects from designing full mechanical services for a block of flats in London to modelling designs in CAD or Revit and undertaking thermal modelling to calculate heating loads for school buildings. I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects in a variety of sectors which help develop my knowledge and skills.
What skills or knowledge have you gained during your apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a great way to gain knowledge if the traditional educational method doesn’t suit your learning style; I am a visual learner and remember information through repeatedly undertaking an activity as opposed to reading books. Skills such as using industry software are something you may have only one module on at university, however, in the office, you could be using the software day after day.
How has mentorship or training helped you grow?
Beginning an apprenticeship can be quite daunting, given the sudden exposure to work-life straight from school. However, all your colleagues have your best interest at heart so do not be afraid to ask as many questions as needed; as you are not expected to know things straight away. When I’ve been stuck at university on a topic, my mentor and team have provided support and explanations which have been very beneficial.
What advice would you give to any future apprentices considering joining the apprenticeship programme with Ingleton Wood?
An apprenticeship is a great way to learn real-world skills and gain knowledge that you wouldn’t traditionally gain through going to university full-time. It is a great way to be introduced to the working environment and support will be provided by the university, as well as your colleagues.
Ryan Dennis | Building Services Design Engineer Apprentice – Billericay
Why did you choose an apprenticeship, and why Ingleton Wood?
I knew I wanted to study engineering, and I was looking for apprenticeship opportunities. I saw Ingleton Wood had a vacancy, and I had a look at their website which included a section on apprenticeships. I liked that I could be supported by in-house mentors throughout my time at university along with the appeal of earning a salary and many other great benefits and team building events.
How has your apprenticeship shaped your career goals?
My career goals are to be confident in performing tasks to a high standard consistently and becoming a fully qualified engineer. My apprenticeship is a great route to improve my skills and understanding, and I enjoy the blended learning experience spending one day a week at university and the rest of the week working alongside experienced, knowledgeable engineers in the workplace.
How does your work contribute to the team or projects?
Since joining Ingleton Wood I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects ranging from supporting the design of a Sports Centre to working on multi-disciplinary projects in the healthcare sector. I also get to attend progress review meetings with the client and attend site visits. As I’ve progressed in my studies, my responsibilities on projects have increased as well.
Working in the building services sector while studying an apprenticeship has given me a great understanding of the working environment and increased my confidence in managing my own projects and workloads.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far during your time at Ingleton Wood?
Being able to manage your own time and prioritise tasks when you are working and studying is important so you can keep on top of both workloads.
Chris Wells | Chartered Building Surveyor Apprenticeship – Colchester
Why did you choose an apprenticeship, and why Ingleton Wood?
I didn’t go to university after I left school. Being over 30 and with my own home, I needed to ensure that I earned alongside studying, so it made sense to go down the apprenticeship pathway.
What’s the most challenging part, and how do you overcome these challenges?
Be prepared for term time to be full on. There is a lot that goes into writing assignments and sometimes it can be challenging to achieve a balance when you’ve been at work all day and then are writing assignments in the evening/weekend. I’ve found it useful to create a timetable for the week and try to achieve small parts or sections of assignments. That way it’s broken down into smaller chunks and you gain a sense of achievement every week knowing that you are on track to submit on time and achieve a good mark. You could be working on two or three assignments at once so it’s important to plan ahead.
What skills or knowledge have you gained during your apprenticeship?
I have worked on a variety of projects from education to residential buildings. I’m involved in the bid process, writing contracts, and using digital drawing software during project development. I also liaise with clients and contractors for updates and attend sites for inspections.
How has mentorship or training helped you grow?
The course has complemented my learning in the workplace and my mentors support me through activities like work shadowing and review sessions. There is a lot of time and planning that goes into assignments so I can meet deadlines for both University and project work.
How has your apprenticeship shaped your career goals?
It has been so rewarding and a great opportunity for me to learn a vast range of skills that will support me throughout my career. I like the structure of my apprenticeship; I get to gain on-the-job experience every day whilst also receiving a University education and gaining a qualification.
Asma Parker | Architecture Apprentice – Colchester
Why did you choose an apprenticeship, and why Ingleton Wood?
I first saw Ingleton Wood on a poster in my sixth form advertising an employee's recent completion of the master's apprenticeship programme at LSBU; which was also the first time I heard about this programme. After further reading about the programme and deciding this was what I wanted to do, Ingleton Wood responded to my application and I was first offered a work experience placement and out of this, I was offered an apprenticeship contract.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My tasks range from developing project drawings to site visits where I monitor how our designs are being built and attending meetings with clients, no day is the same! I have also learned about planning and other disciplines within the Practice, which helped me understand how different departments work together to achieve a project.
What’s the most challenging part, and how do you overcome these challenges?
I think the biggest challenge is initially adjusting to the working environment, regarding what is expected from you as you know nothing about how things work, but I found that asking my colleagues questions and getting advice and support from my mentors has helped my confidence and ability.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself when starting in a completely new environment with completely new expectations, you will fail multiple times! Just pick yourself up and try again; explore, research, and try things out for yourself, don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
Can you share a memorable project or task you’ve worked on?
I’ve attended many school careers events supporting students completing construction workshops and spoken at schools about my career path and job role. I’ve really enjoyed sharing my experience with young people and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals.
What advice would you give to any future apprentices considering joining the apprenticeship programme with Ingleton Wood?
Apprenticeships offer many benefits; the experience on offer can fast-track your career and allow you to gain maximum experience in the workplace. Another benefit is that you earn a wage whilst studying!
Be open to different expectations from both work and study. Read ahead of the area you are interested in and try to gather some basic knowledge of architecture in practice so you don't feel thrown in at the deep end when you start at work.
Apprenticeships with Ingleton Wood provide a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience, earn while you learn, and lay the foundations for a fulfilling career in your chosen discipline.
Whether you're just starting out, or looking to take the next step, we provide structured pathways to support your professional growth and development.
Click here to find out more about our Apprenticeship pathways and discover more about our early career opportunities.
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