These businesses are subsidiaries of Bowmer + Kirkland and form the B+K Group
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Alex now leads our Western team. Find out how his Construction Degree Apprenticeship in Site Management equipped him with the knowledge, experience and drive to run a major construction region.
How has your apprenticeship shaped your career?
My degree apprenticeship allowed me to develop my skills in construction management while gaining a recognised qualification. Working on large-scale multi-million-pound projects alongside experienced professionals helped me turn academic learning into practical site management.
The hands-on nature of the apprenticeship built my confidence, problem-solving ability, and understanding of how construction projects operate day to day. It provided a strong foundation for my career by developing both my technical knowledge and my professional approach.
What skills and knowledge gained from your apprenticeship do you still use today?
My grounding in construction management allows me to make informed, practical decisions, challenge programmes and methodologies confidently, and understand the realities faced by project teams. The apprenticeship also developed my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, which I now apply when mentoring teams, managing risk, and driving consistent performance across projects. That early hands-on experience remains fundamental to how I operate today.
How did the apprenticeship prepare you for a leadership role?
My degree apprenticeship gave me a strong understanding of construction from the ground up. Leading site activities early in my career developed my ability to communicate clearly, make decisions under pressure, and take responsibility for outcomes. Working closely with different trades and disciplines in multiple sectors helped me learn how to motivate teams, manage conflict, and build trust. This hands-on foundation now allows me to lead with credibility, make balanced strategic decisions, and support teams at all levels effectively.
What advice would you give to someone considering a construction apprenticeship?
I’d be honest, a construction apprenticeship is hard work, but it’s extremely rewarding. Balancing work responsibilities with academic study takes commitment and discipline, but the experience you gain on live projects is invaluable. If you’re willing to put the effort in, ask questions, and push yourself, the apprenticeship can open doors and provide a strong foundation for a long-term career in construction. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities and progression that come with it.
Why do you think apprenticeships are so important for the future of the construction industry?
Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the construction industry because they develop skilled professionals with real, practical experience from the outset. It is incredibly important that we address skill shortages by training people in the realities of live projects, not just theory. At B+K, developing young talent is in our DNA as a business, we are passionate about developing the next professionals of our industry and embrace our responsibility to do this as one of the UK’s largest construction and development businesses.
