James Smallman - McLaren Construction

NAW Case Study

My name is James Smallman and I'm currently a Trainee Site Manager for McLaren Construction.

I'm currently working on the Longwood close project in Coventry where we are building 1,209 bedrooms of student accommodation across nine buildings.

My responsibilities on site include the logistics of the bathroom pods, getting the correct ones in the correct rooms, drone operations, weekly progress videos using both an internal and external drone, site logistic plans, keeping the induction presentation and logistic plan up to date and most recently I have been put in charge of closing out all snags on the job allowing other site managers to keep working forwards whilst I look behind, a big responsibility I have enjoyed so far.

I'm a bit older than the average apprentice and this is because I made the leap to change career after suffering an injury that prevented me from continuing what I did before. My apprenticeship is arming me with the tools I need to be successful and is supplying me with the background knowledge I need to be able to compete my day to day job.

The ability to meet like minded individuals also in the same stages of their career is great and our lessons are filled with people sharing their experiences on site and helping everyone grow. Aspects like this have allowed me to contribute at work when we come across similar issues and its a great feeling to know I have contributed.

The real world experience an apprenticeship offers is second to none. I have had the experience of the more traditional side of education (GCSE's, A Levels and University) and an apprenticeship really does arm you for "the real world" of work and I couldn't recommend it enough.

Everyone benefits from an apprenticeship, the employer gets to mould a new mind and show how the job is done first hand and the learning and experience the apprentice receives can’t be taught in a class room.