Insight into Apprenticeships in the Construction Industry

As part of the School’s Careers Programme, we welcomed Old Elizabethan Alice Dudley back to school to share her journey from Sixth Form to a Degree Apprenticeship in construction, offering valuable insight into alternative pathways beyond University.

Alice, who studied Biology, PE and Psychology at RGS Worcester from 2020 to 2022, reflected on her initial decision to pursue a Sports Management degree and her early realisation that it was not the right path for her. She spoke about the two years she spent coaching Tennis following her departure from university, during which she developed key communication and leadership skills, before beginning to explore a wider range of career options.

Through independent research and conversations with industry contacts, Alice discovered Degree Apprenticeships and began applying for roles within the construction sector. She outlined the competitive nature of the recruitment process, which included video interviews, aptitude tests and final-stage interviews and emphasised the importance of resilience and perseverance.

Alice now works as a Quantity Surveyor with Speller Metcalfe, where she is responsible for managing project costs, preparing budgets and overseeing payments across a range of projects. She spoke about the structure of her Apprenticeship, balancing four days in the workplace with one day at university, alongside the flexibility to work remotely, and highlighted the benefits of gaining practical experience while studying.

Pupils gained a clear understanding from the Seminar of the advantages of the Apprenticeship route, including the opportunity to earn while learning, avoid university debt and build a strong professional network. Alice also addressed common misconceptions about the construction industry, highlighting the wide range of roles available and the increasing number of women entering the sector. She described the collaborative nature of her work and the strong support systems in place for apprentices.

In her advice to pupils, Alice encouraged all to be proactive and to gain work experience and explore career pathways. She recommended making use of platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals, develop industry awareness and identify opportunities.

The Seminar concluded with a Q&A, providing pupils with the opportunity to ask further questions and gain additional insight. Alice’s visit provided pupils with valuable insight into alternative pathways and encouraged them to think carefully about the wide range of opportunities available beyond Sixth Form.

If you would like to find out more about Careers support at RGS Worcester you can do so here.