- Abi is her final year of a Level 3 T Level qualification in Construction Design, Surveying and Planning
- She chose to go to Lindum Group for her work placement to gain a working knowledge of construction
- This week is the 17th annual National Apprenticeship Week
Historically, students who have finished their GCSEs have been faced with a choice – go onto an apprenticeship or go on to study A levels. Now, however, there is a third option that can provide the best of both worlds.
T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships, and other 16-19 courses. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and include a combination of work in a learning environment and a minimum 45 day industry placement.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Abi shared her experience so far of T Levels and the advantages to the new qualification.
Abi has been spent the past seven months at Lindum, alongside studying at York College, to gain valuable work experience as part of her course.
Abi has always been a practical person. She has played rugby for the past two years and has been a cadet since she was 12. She also, however, has an interest in maths and design, so when it came to choosing a career path, she was looking to fulfil both interests.
Abi has been spending one day a week with our York team, working as she studies for her Level 3 T Level qualification in Construction Design, Surveying and Planning.
Abi’s stepfather worked in the army for 25 years and is currently working as a Health and Safety Manager within the construction industry, which led her to consider construction as a realistic career for her. She has since found that construction is an ideal blend between practical work and maths and scientific application with the combination of office and site based work.
During her second year, Abi was required to go on a work placement to help develop her understanding of a role in construction and to deepen her practical knowledge gained through her course. Her tutor recommended she come to Lindum.
Since starting her one day a week placement, Abi has been assisting the estimating and quantity surveying teams. She said that the placement has “allowed for more one on one learning and has helped to understand the reality of working and people’s life experiences of how they have dealt with problems and how to tackle solutions.”
Abi has been working on several projects, helping on measuring up and pricing on potential projects coming into the company, and working on the budgets and snagging issues on existing jobs, which has included site visits. Abi said that all of this real life experience in the industry has helped her with her college work and provided clarity on where she may go once her course finishes. She may go on to university to study further, but there is a desire to remain at Lindum and pursue a career in either quantity surveying or estimating.
During her course, Abi was put forward for a York College and Construction Centre award. Abi overcame odds of one per cent to win the flagship Governors’ Award for her work and progression during her two year course.
