My experience at Gratte Brothers has been incredibly rewarding. The team has been supportive and welcoming, and I’ve had the opportunity to work on such a huge and complex project that has given me a solid understanding of the industry. The hands-on experience has been invaluable and has greatly complemented my studies. 

I chose a career in construction because I have always been fascinated by how things are built and the process behind creating functional and aesthetically pleasing structures. The idea of contributing to projects that can have a lasting impact on communities is very fulfilling for me. 

One challenging situation I faced was when we encountered unexpected issues with a subcontractor on a major project. Communication was key in resolving the issue. I facilitated meetings between our team and the subcontractor, ensuring that everyone was on the same page and that the problems were addressed promptly. This experience taught me the importance of clear communication and effective problem-solving. 

Balancing my studies and work has been challenging but manageable with good time management and organisation. I prioritise my tasks and set specific goals for each week. Gratte Brothers has been very supportive, providing flexibility when needed, which has been crucial in maintaining this balance. 

In the next few years, I aim to gain more experience and take on larger responsibilities within the company. I hope to become a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor and contribute to significant projects. Long-term, I aspire to move into a senior management role where I can influence the strategic direction of projects and mentor new apprentices. 

I joined Gratte Brothers as a Graduate Surveyor in January 2020. I knew I wanted to get into construction as I liked the idea of having a tangible outcome as evidence of hard work. I discovered Gratte Brothers through researching the industry and companies within it.

The first UK Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 saw Gratte Brothers briefly furlough us graduates. As a family company, their care for employees showed in the decision to support us via the furlough scheme, rather than let us go completely. Everyone I have worked with or encountered through Gratte Brothers has been lovely, and I have never experienced anything other than equality, support, and respect from the team. My line managers are all very kind, encouraging and approachable, which I have been especially grateful for throughout studying for the Master’s degree I am completing alongside my full-time job.

I spent the first few weeks of the scheme learning the basics of the job and the processes of the company. I was shortly placed on my first project (a multi-million-pound site). I now work across three large, high-profile contracts where I look after the day-to-day running of the job.

I’m working towards an MSc in Quantity Surveying (mechanical and electrical). This is a distance learning course with evening sessions, meaning I’ve been able to fit studying in alongside my regular hours. The best thing about this course and my job is that they support one another. Some of the modules I’ve completed were to do with contracts and risk management, others, I was required to design the layout of mechanical (ductwork, flow and return pipes) and electrical (lighting layouts, sizing cable) works in a theoretical building. All of which have really enriched my knowledge and experience of what we do.

Completing this qualification will signify the end of my Graduate programme. Over the next few years, I’m aiming to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) and continue expanding my knowledge with Gratte Brothers, gaining more responsibility, and doing well on my projects for the company.

I began my journey at Gratte Brothers in September 2022 when I joined as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor. Previously, I was studying A-levels at sixth form. With many years of a ‘traditional’ approach to learning behind me I decided I wanted something different, a new approach. This led me to apply for an apprenticeship opportunity at Gratte Brothers. Now, I attend university on a day release system. This combined approach allows me to apply the theory I learn at uni to my practical work on the job.

An apprenticeship has always stood out to me as a good option because you can gain valuable practical and theoretical knowledge simultaneously, which gives you a massive head start within the industry. This is what I was particularly searching for as it means being surrounded by skilled professionals which provides the opportunity to network within the industry. During my time at Gratte Brothers, I hope to fulfil the first step towards my goal of becoming a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and play a key part in projects that have a real impact on communities.

My interest in becoming a Quantity Surveyor was piqued when I embarked on a course where I had the opportunity to speak to professionals who worked on the Stratford project. This was an area I saw visibly transform from what it was when I was a child to what it is now—a mixed-use residential, retail, creative and cultural hub. This is a dynamic role that will allow me to combine my enthusiasm for construction with the problem-solving and creativity required to execute projects that can have a positive impact on communities.

My experience at Gratte Brothers has been amazing so far. The internal culture is centred around reaching your potential, supporting you in your goals and ensuring that you’re supported throughout your time here.

I chose to complete an apprenticeship because I wanted to get out into the world and start working. Although I still attend college, it is a very different experience to school, one which provides me with an independence I find rewarding and the sense that I am paving the way for my own success.

I chose to complete my apprenticeship with Gratte Brothers as it was evident that they were a well-respected company within the industry and had an impressive turnover. Although these figures may not be important for every young person starting their career, for me it was vital to know how successful the company I was joining was, in terms of performance and opportunities.

I attend college on a ‘block release’ basis, which means I attend once a week. My day-to-day role for the remainder of the week has me on-site shadowing electricians, carrying out tasks alongside them and individually too. What I enjoy the most about my apprenticeship is that I am constantly learning new skills every day, whether they be electrical or interpersonal.

Once I have completed my apprenticeship, I hope that I will know which aspects of a project I enjoy most, whether they be practical or technical and I would then like to take advantage of the opportunities Gratte Brothers can provide and hopefully begin progressing towards project management.

I left secondary school with one certainty: I did not want to go to university or be in debt so instead I looked into apprenticeships so that I could continue to learn whilst I earned.

I soon realised that a qualification was required to hold a job in the future and it became apparent that Gratte Brothers would be somewhere I could grow, as they are an excellent company with a great apprenticeship program.

Being an electrical apprentice is a very hands-on role. Whilst I attend college regularly to learn the theory behind the trade, I would say most of the learning occurs on site, under the instruction of qualified electricians. I see the theory learned at college in the site activities I complete every day and I am able to transfer the skills and knowledge I gain from site to college. Everyone, not just the apprentices, is constantly learning new skills on-site and improving their craft every day.

When I finish my apprenticeship, I would like to carry on working for Gratte Brothers and develop my career with them and their endless opportunities.

I chose to undertake an apprenticeship because I felt that I would learn quicker in a programme, which combined both theory and practice and which allowed me to apply what I was learning at college to my work on-site at the same time.

Gratte Brothers are a very well-known and respected company in the industry. Therefore, I chose to work for them because I knew I was being offered a great opportunity, not only as an apprentice but also in terms of opportunities for a future career.

I attend college once a week on a day release where I learn the theory behind the work I do on-site. I find this method is very beneficial as it allows me to understand the process behind what we do on-site and the reason why we do each step of the process in a particular way. What I enjoy most about my apprenticeship is being on-site and being given more and more responsibility for the tasks I complete.

At Gratte Brothers, everyone is willing to help as much as they can and they are always patient when it comes to teaching me, which I am very much appreciative of. After I have completed my apprenticeship, I hope to pursue a career in commissioning.

I chose an apprenticeship because I was looking to get on-the-job experience whilst gaining a qualification at college. I decided to complete my apprenticeship at Gratte Brothers because my Father also works for the company, previously as a pipefitter and now as a site manager and I wanted to carry on the family tradition, which began with my Grandfather who was a boiler engineer in a fantastic family-ran business.

I am currently attending College and completing my Level 2 NVQ in Heating and Ventilating. My course entails both practical and theoretical learning relating to the tasks I do on-site and it is this learning of new skills constantly both on my course and on-site, which I find very rewarding and which allows me to carry out tasks on-site independently as well.

What I enjoy most about my apprenticeship is meeting and working alongside new people. Building great rapport and relationships helps make the training more enjoyable, helps teach you life as well as practical skills and makes you feel very welcome within the company.

I will always want to stay at Gratte Brothers as you are very well looked after as a member of the team. After my apprenticeship I will hopefully have more of an understanding of the variety of job roles available but for now I’m more than happy with my current role.

I knew that an apprenticeship would be the best choice for me as I’ve always been more of a practical learner and find it easier to comprehend things by being hands-on rather than purely classroom-based. Financially it also made more sense for me to get paid whilst learning on the job, so an apprenticeship works perfectly for me.

I’m now 6 months into my 2-year programme, training as an Apprentice Catering Engineer and I’m working towards ACS accreditation as part of it. A typical week for me is out on the road, travelling to different jobs to assist with servicing, maintenance and breakdowns while learning the trade from experienced engineers. I’m gradually being given more and more responsibility which is great for my professional competence and confidence.

My proudest moment so far would have to be when my mentor let me replace some broken parts on an appliance for the first time; knowing that I am taking positive steps towards being a competent engineer really boosted my confidence.

I chose to apply for an apprenticeship with Gratte Brothers as they are well-established and respected in the industry, and have a good customer base. Plus, the fully structured training programme leading to a recognised qualification really appealed to me.

Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I would like to secure a job in the commercial catering industry. My time at Gratte Brothers has highlighted how good the industry really is, and I see it as a great career path!

I joined Gratte Brothers Group straight out of University in January 2020. Having completed some work with an M&E firm previously, I knew it was a career I wanted to pursue. I hadn’t previously considered this route into the industry, but a family friend told me about it and I’ve never looked back.

From the moment I joined, Gratte Brothers has pushed me to develop professionally in the most supportive and rewarding way. After a brief period of furlough due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was immediately put onto a ‘building services engineering’ apprenticeship course. This was a two-year course that saw me attend college one day per week to gain technical knowledge that complemented my background in surveying. On completion of my apprenticeship, I’m pleased to say I passed with a distinction! Now, I’m working towards my RICS Chartership; all kindly sponsored by Gratte Brothers.

The highlights of my time so far have definitely been the variety and quantity of projects I’ve experienced. Two years in and I’m now an integral part of the team on a project worth £150million; something I would never have thought I’d be doing so early in my career and at the age of 25! Being given the amount of responsibility that I have has grown my confidence enormously. I’m looking forward to becoming an RICS Quantity Surveyor in the future and furthering my career with Gratte Brothers.