Olivia said: I left school worried about my future as I hadn’t applied for College or University. I took a year out which allowed me to work full-time earning a wage until I felt confident about taking my next step.
I started out as an administrator for a construction company which got me thinking about different career paths in the construction industry. I saw the Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship opportunity and even though I knew very little about the position, I knew it was ideal for me.
I remember being so nervous about attending College on my first day. I really had nothing to be nervous about – everyone was there for the same reason and it was great to be part of a new community.
Being in College part-time allowed me to learn in the classroom one day a week and gain practical skills on site the rest of the time. I felt this best of both worlds opportunity really benefited me, as I got to see a the theory I was learning in class being used in the real world of work.
Olivia completed her HNC in 2020 and is now working full-time as a Quantity Surveying Assistant for a bricklaying company.