Our apprentices are close to the heart of Ingleton Wood, bringing energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives that shape both our projects and our culture. Apprenticeships here aren’t just about developing technical skills; they’re an opportunity for personal growth, building confidence, and laying the foundation for a long-term career in the built environment.
Here are some of our apprentices' journeys so far...
We spoke with Alfie Betts about his journey from work experience to starting his Architectural Technologist apprenticeship with Ingleton Wood, and how these early experiences are helping shape his career path in the built environment.
What drew you to work experience at Ingleton Wood, and the moment you thought, “I could see myself here”?
"I wanted to see how a professional environment works and how different disciplines come together to deliver projects."
"Having first joined Ingleton Wood for a work placement and now progressing through my apprenticeship, what has always stood out is how welcoming and supportive everyone at Ingleton Wood is. The continued support I’ve received has been nothing short of superb, and it’s astonishing how much I’ve learnt in such a short amount of time."
What were your first impressions of the workplace and industry? Was there anything that surprised you?
"My first impressions were of a practice that is highly organised and driven, which quickly became clear during my work experience placement, as I saw how efficiently everyone works. The team’s dedication is impressive, and the atmosphere remains supportive and collaborative."
"I was pleasantly surprised by the level of trust and flexibility given to the team, particularly with hybrid working, and by how often the role involves meetings and site visits. That variety keeps each day fresh and engaging. I also really enjoyed being involved in real projects from the start, which made me feel trusted, included, and equal to everyone else rather than out of place as an apprentice."
How did it feel to be offered the apprenticeship? What are you most excited to learn?
"I was over the moon! I did my work experience with Ingleton Wood three years ago, so I’m really pleased that my persistence and patience paid off. I’m excited to start university, meet new people, and continue learning the industry inside and out."
"I’ve already learnt so much in a few weeks and can’t wait to keep developing as I work toward becoming a professional Architectural Technologist."
Any advice for anyone considering work experience or an apprenticeship?
"My dad always says, “the squeaky wheel gets oiled first.” Make sure you put yourself out there and be patient.
"I’ve always had my eyes set on Ingleton Wood, and I made sure to keep in contact and continue doing work experience so that when an opportunity arose, I was already on their radar."
"My more general piece of advice is not to get discouraged by rejections or missed opportunities; it just means you’re one step closer to the next opportunity, which may be better suited to you!"
What are your longer-term goals in the industry and with Ingleton Wood?
"My goal is to complete my degree and become a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology. I also aim to keep developing at Ingleton Wood and become chartered."
"I know I will always be challenged and continue to learn, no matter how qualified I become, because you can never be perfect; there is always something new to learn."
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
"Everyone at Ingleton Wood is so welcoming and supportive, which made me feel valued and included from day one".
"I’m learning at a rapid pace, and it feels incredibly rewarding to achieve something new every day. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work at such a professional and impressive practice, and I thank everyone who has supported me so far!"
"It feels surreal to be doing what I always dreamed of as a kid. So, my final piece of advice, is that if you really want to achieve something in life, stick with it, stay persistent, and you’ll get there!"
Hollie Garrigan, Apprentice Building Surveyor based in our Billericay office, is approaching the completion of her Building Surveying degree.
Along the way, she has made remarkable strides, combining hands-on experience with academic excellence. In recognition of her achievements, Hollie was awarded Best Overall Results in Whole Life Asset Management at Anglia Ruskin University’s Engineering and the Built Environment Awards 2025 and was nominated in the Rising Star category at the Design and Build UK Women in Construction Awards 2025.
Favourite part of the apprenticeship:
"My favourite part has been learning on the job while contributing to real projects. I enjoy being trusted with meaningful tasks rather than just observing. Working on live sites and seeing how my work fits into the wider project gives me confidence and makes the learning feel relevant and significant."
Professional and personal growth
"Professionally, the apprenticeship has given me a solid grounding in surveying practice, particularly in site inspections, compliance, and reporting. I’ve become much more confident in taking ownership of tasks and communicating with clients and contractors. Personally, it’s helped me develop resilience and independence; juggling study, site work, and deadlines wasn’t always easy, but it’s made me more organised and self-aware."
Team support
"The team has been incredibly supportive. I was given space to work things out independently, which helped me build confidence and problem-solving skills. Whenever I needed guidance, colleagues were willing to help, even when busy. It wasn’t a hand-holding environment, though, and that really accelerated my development."
Why recommend Ingleton Wood
"I’d recommend Ingleton Wood because you get real exposure to real responsibility early on, which fast-tracks your learning. The variety of projects is a real advantage, as you don’t feel stuck doing the same thing over and over. It’s not always easy, but it’s a place where you can genuinely develop your skills if you’re willing to put in the effort."
Looking ahead
"After completing my degree, I aim to achieve professional accreditation (MRICS). Once I achieve Chartership status, I hope to work on more complex projects and mentor future apprentices through their own journeys."
Kai Filbert, Architectural Trainee, now progressing onto the Level 7 MArch apprenticeship, reflects on how the past four years at Ingleton Wood have shaped both his professional and personal development.
From the very beginning, the team environment stood out.
“The team environment at Ingleton Wood is one of the core strengths of the practice. There has always been a supportive atmosphere, with everyone happy to lend a hand or answer questions. It has aided my learning incredibly and has been fundamental to building my confidence in a professional setting.”
For Kai, choosing the degree apprenticeship route quickly proved to be the right decision. The ability to combine university study with hands-on professional experience provided what he describes as the “best of both worlds”.
“As an apprentice, you are exposed to the real working environment, something that is often overlooked in a traditional university route. I’ve not only completed my degree but also gained four years of professional experience, putting me further ahead than is typical at this stage in a career. This early exposure to live projects, clients, and multidisciplinary collaboration helped develop a wide range of professional skills while building confidence in tackling new challenges.”
Support has been a constant throughout the journey. With two dedicated mentors and encouragement from the wider team, they always felt able to ask questions, seek feedback, and balance academic commitments with professional responsibilities.
“The guidance of my mentors has been crucial to completing my degree. Ingleton Wood goes the extra mile for apprentices, organising additional training and social events that help build professional relationships across the Practice.”
This strong culture of support and investment in young professionals is why Kai would recommend Ingleton Wood to future apprentices.
“Ingleton Wood has built a real community of apprentices and an incredible support network. The Practice not only supports academic study and professional experience, but also celebrates hard work and encourages social connection across teams.”
Looking to the future, Kai is continuing his development with Ingleton Wood, having enrolled onto the Level 7 MArch apprenticeship in late 2026 as he works towards becoming a fully qualified architect.
“I’m extremely excited to continue my professional career at Ingleton Wood. I know I have a supportive team behind me as I work towards becoming fully qualified.”
Stelios Charalambous, former apprentice and now Junior Mechanical Engineer here at Ingleton Wood, reflects on his journey so far:
Favourite part of the apprenticeship experience
"The most rewarding part of my apprenticeship has been seeing how far I’ve come since my first day. Every time I have the opportunity to prove myself and perform well, it reminds me of the skills and knowledge I’ve gained along the way."
Professional and personal growth
"This apprenticeship has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Being involved in meetings and real projects from an early stage has boosted my confidence and allowed me to develop as a professional and as a person."
Support from the team
"My team has been incredibly supportive throughout my apprenticeship. They prioritised my learning, guided me on how to approach tasks correctly, and offered help whenever I needed it. And this support hasn’t just come from my immediate team, colleagues from across our practice have been generous with their time and knowledge too."
Why recommend Ingleton Wood
"When my apprenticeship studies were off-site and took place at London South Bank University (LSBU), Ingleton Wood helped keep everything on track. I always knew what deadlines and documents were needed, and any challenges were resolved quickly. My mentor has been outstanding, dedicating time to teach me not just the practical processes but also the theory behind calculations and workflows. The level of guidance has been exceptional."
Looking ahead
"Thanks to the support I’ve received, I’ve grown into a capable engineer and feel confident about my career progression. I believe the experience I’ve gained at Ingleton Wood has set me up to succeed in the years ahead."
Reflections on the journey
"I started my career six months before the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant my early training was limited. Transferring to Ingleton Wood has been transformative, where I’ve received the guidance, support, and real-world experience I didn’t have before. Every step of the way, I’ve been encouraged and empowered to learn and grow."
These stories are a powerful reflection of how apprenticeships at Ingleton Wood create meaningful career pathways, equipping young professionals with the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in the built environment.
Learn more about our apprenticeship and early-career opportunities.
Explore more of our National Apprenticeship Week highlights at Ingleton Wood:
🌐 | Inspiring future talent through T Levels
🌐 | From Apprentice to Associate Architect
🌐 | Developing skills for life at Ingleton Wood
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