Emma Caulder - Punch Pubs

I have been working for Punch Pubs and Co since February 2023 as a Property Surveyor with a managed partnership portfolio of 62 pubs based around the Midlands and East Anglia. My day-to-day role involves visiting my sites, carrying out inspections, approving property repairs, external decorations, forward maintenance and assisting the property manager in minor works projects.  My week is split between being on the road, working from home and dropping into the office in Burton on Trent.

I have been in the property industry for over 25 years and have always wanted to come back to the pub industry, as this is where I started out and where I’m at my happiest.

I first heard about the Surveying Technician’s apprenticeship via our Senior HR Business Partner, who provided details during one of our team meetings and I thought it sounded really interesting. I enquired as my initial thought was that I would be too old (I have always imagined an apprentice to be a younger person). I was assured that there is no age limit and after I had read through the information, I put an application in, which Punch approved.

I started the course with Learning Skills Partnership in October 2023 via online learning. Our first tutor, Yvonne is a similar age to me and had been a bricklayer, which I found fascinating and totally inspirational.  We currently have Andy as our tutor and he has been superb. Andy has immense knowledge of the industry and you can tell that he enjoys sharing this with students, at a level we can understand. I think everyone in the class was slightly anxious to start but we have soon got to know each other. There is a mixture of ages, backgrounds and career journeys. 

The apprenticeship is varied, interesting and I have loved getting back into learning. The teaching style is totally different to the classroom style of 30 years ago in every way possible! We are encouraged to ask questions and there is a feeling of support and inclusiveness. If anyone is thinking of doing an apprenticeship, I would say go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You do need to be committed to putting in the hours, so it is important to get information up front about what’s involved and what will be expected from you. I found that it took a few weeks to settle into learning and work my diary around my lessons but my employer has been fully supportive, which has helped massively.

I can’t thank Punch Pubs enough for believing in me and approving my application, I am extremely grateful. With the support of my employer, my work mentor, my colleagues and my tutor, I can’t wait to see where this takes me.