Sky completed our traineeship programme with Winvic earlier this year.
Discover how his hard work and determination, together with support from his tutor and his employer enabled him to progress into a new job as an apprentice site engineer, changing his life.
“I would recommend the traineeship, because it has opened so many doors for me and it has changed my life.”
My name is Sky, I am 20 years old and I joined the construction traineeship programme with Winvic in the Spring.
Before I joined and progressed I was living at the YMCA and on Universal Credit.
I saw it and then I realised I didn’t want to be stuck in the YMCA so I signed up to the course. It was referred to me through the job centre.
I didn’t know anything about the programme.
Getting out the flat and learning new things! I learnt there were many different things that go into construction, for example when pouring concrete slabs I didn’t realise they needed mesh in it, it needs to be level, and they pour the slabs in way that when they expand they don’t crack.
I learnt that listening is my most important skill, I figured out I needed to listen to what they were saying, but some bits of information would slip my mind then one of my engineers recommended I try even harder, and that when people say stuff to me to repeat it in my head so I can remember.
I have been offered an apprenticeship as a trainee site engineer, I have already started this and my college starts in October.
I kept showing up every day for my work experience and cycling x amount of miles to the placement and they offered me the apprenticeship.
The application process was easy, I received a phone call from Natalie and she walked me through how to fill out the application form and everything I needed to send over so I was able to do it.
My tutors were very good. Graham helped me with the CSCS card questions, and the construction terms I needed to learn and know for on site. When my internet cut out it was a bit of a struggle but my tutor helped me catch up.
Winvic were extremely supportive, they supplied me with a bicycle to get to and from my work placement, they supplied me with a helmet and also a freelance engineer with Winvic gave me food every day.
They managed to help me with moving out of the YMCA as I had been there for two years, and as soon as I came here in a matter of months I had been moved out the YMCA into much better accommodation. I am much closer to work.
My new employer have sponsored a few weeks of taxis and then that recently ended so I have been cycling again.
I would recommend the traineeship, because it has opened so many doors for me and it has changed my life.
When you’re stuck and see an opportunity, go for it.
Educational, supportive and progressive.