Building My Future: A Journey Through the Castons Apprenticeship Programme by Myles Foster
As I near the end of my apprenticeship and approach qualification later this year, I've been reflecting on the journey I’ve had since joining the Castons Quantity Surveying (QS) apprenticeship programme in 2021. It feels like a milestone, not just for me, but for the opportunities that have shaped my experience. It’s become clear how valuable apprenticeships are – not just for people like me, but for skills in the wider industry. Collaborating with other construction professionals with differing capabilities and personalities, has really shaped how I work.
It’s an exciting time to be entering the workforce, especially in a sector as vital as construction and engineering, during a new age of reindustrialisation and communication. Most if not all in the industry have been an apprentice in some capacity, which helps with providing the support necessary for growth. The hands-on experience I’ve gained on-site ranging from small external works and refurbishment projects to larger multimillion pound schemes has been invaluable. Right from day one, I’ve been involved in live projects and the practical on-the-job training means that each day is different. This mixed with university studies has helped me gauge the industry as a whole, and the various stakeholder's involvement on schemes.
Progress on building large-scale projects is what creates these pathways and learning opportunities for me and my fellow apprentices. They offer the kind of hands-on experience and long-term career opportunities that are essential for building a strong, skilled workforce.
Working and living in Suffolk, I have huge hopes for the work Castons will be able to perform on projects such as Sizewell C, and I look forward to being a qualified QS when works commence. Personally being able to complete jobs on Sizewell C independently without the support of mentors would be a great opportunity and accomplishment of mine.
My time as an apprentice has been filled with a variety of different challenges and opportunities, setting me on the right path to further career progression after qualification later this year, while balancing my education, social and work life.
This apprenticeship has not only prepared me for a career, but it’s opened my eyes to how apprenticeships are a vital piece of the puzzle in driving forward our industry’s success.
