Adam Stott - NT Killingley Case Study

Adam Stott, a Business Support Apprentice at NT Killingley is currently completing his Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship with LSP. He has a very interesting and varied role switching between business support and quantity surveying, with an aim to progress onto a Level 4 Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship to develop further within his role in the future.

Adam is a fantastic example which shows that apprenticeships can help to set a successful and rewarding career path. He never thought of becoming a Quantity Surveyor, but after gaining experience in different departments of the business he found a passion for the role and will now be provided the relevant training to succeed in his chosen field.

Read about Adam’s experience and his thoughts on apprenticeships below!

Tell us about your current role

“I am classed as a Business Administration Support Apprentice, which is my official title. My day-to-day duties are that of a Quantity Surveyor. I do quantity surveying, cost controls, and also carry out the majority of the buying on behalf of the rest of the quantity surveyors and estimators in the office, dealing with invoicing and the ground maintenance department, and signing of any invoicing which all go through me. A lot of the time I liaise with customers and clients and make sure that we get the products that are needed, ensuring everything is spot on.

When I signed up for the Business Administration Apprenticeship I thought it was mainly going to be business. I thought, do I really see myself sat in an office? I thought I’d just be completing all the paperwork. I came in and they said I would be going into the commercial side and dealing with all the customers and clients. The role is very varied, but I do like it a lot.”

What is the next step in your career?

“NT Killingley have already offered me a position once I finish by apprenticeship in October to start a Level 4 Quantity Surveying apprenticeship with LSP. I’m really looking forwards to progressing further onto the Level 5.”

Was Quantity Surveying your chosen career path?

“If you would have asked me when I was still working at Tesco, no. But as soon as I started looking for job it was anything that had a clear progression. You start in a role, but you can build on it and progress to do anything you want. I think that was one of the main driving forces when I was looking for an apprenticeship. I just turned 22 last week, so going onto an apprenticeship was not initially my first thought. When you don’t know what career path you want to take and something like that is offered to you, sometimes you have to take a risk and hope it pays of, and it has with NT Killingley.”

What is your view of apprenticeships?

“Everyone thinks that you finish your GCSE’s and you go onto on to Apprenticeships, Sixth Form or College. I went to Sixth Form and got my A levels. I was working at Tesco at the time, earning decent money and getting overtime. When I started my apprenticeship I was 21, and I thought are apprenticeships really for a 21-year-old? I was concerned about the drop in money but realised that you’re learning a skill and being paid to learn. This was the driving force for me - I will have years of experience and a career path with NT Killingley.”

How has Covid affected your job role?

“I joined in October last year just after the first lockdown had been lifted. The way NT Killingley dealt with it made it a lot easier. Before I’d even joined they had separated the entire office, there’s tape down now for 2m sections, you have your own desk, you’re not facing anyone, your back is always to someone. I think they put a lot of thought and effort into it. I didn’t know much difference coming into this environment but from what I have being told they have had a massive restructure internally to sort everything out in readiness for it.”

How did you find the application process?

“I looked everywhere for a job and I eventually saw the LSP vacancy on Get My First Job. Being local I know the name NT Killingley and knew what the business was about. I did a full telephone interview and submitted my CV which was passed to NT Killingley. Then I was invited for an interview on the 17th October which was very formal. I met the HR Manager and my Line Manager who spoke about my career options and told me what I would be doing if I joined in terms of the buying, purchasing, quantity surveying and estimating. I had to go to work the same day, by the time I had landed at work I got a phone call offering me the position. Something just seemed to click, I got on really well with the line manager and was over the moon when they offered the job.”

What is your advice for someone applying for apprenticeships?

“I always see people going to interviews who are not necessarily wearing a suit but instead in a pair of jeans and a smart top. Every interview I have been to I have worn a full suit, tie, and polished shoes. I also think body language is important too. We recently had a candidate interview for a role in the office. The way he presented himself and spoke to everyone, his body language and everything was perfect. He was able to present himself well to managers within the business, which is hard when you’re young. In a company where you’ve got to talk to strangers on a daily basis on the phone or over Teams you’ve got to have confidence. Just go out of your comfort zone and don’t shy away. My dad always told me if you’re having an interview always make sure your hands are on the table, so you’re not slouched. Its just little tips like reading up on the company and knowing what they are about. If you’ve got to the interview stage, you’re good enough for them to see you and potentially hire you anyway, its just how you act on the day.”

What do you like about your learning?

“With my job being varied, I don’t really do much on the business side. I’m learning hands on within the commercial side and filling my brain with knowledge from the apprenticeship on the business side. What the apprenticeship has given me is foundation information about the business environment i.e. what will happen within a business.”

What do you like about your Apprenticeship with LSP?

“I think I’ve been really lucky having Lucky as my Tutor. He’s absolutely fantastic as a mentor. When we have meetings, Lucky will give many examples and ask me on the spot, relating talking points to my role. He’s always available to contact. It fills me with confidence to know that he takes the time to read things and provide valuable feedback. I feel like Lucky really listens and I got really lucky having him as a tutor.”

Why do you think apprenticeships are a good thing for employers?

“I don’t know why any company would ever not take the opportunity to have an apprentice. You can have an employee from 16 and get them used to the job and push them through and grow them into the person that the business needs. The more apprenticeships they take on, the more people they can develop into the ideal candidate for the role, the better the business will be. I think it works really well. For any organisation, if they’re not considering it, I think they should.”