Blazing a trail for career paths

8/3/19: TClarke career paths lead directly from apprenticeship to every level and specialism in the organisation, including the board and CEO role. Our Future Leaders programme is our pipeline from apprenticeship to leadership.

Glynn Herbert – Managing Director, TClarke Peterborough

As can be seen by my example and that of many other senior members of the management team, who have progressed through the company, an apprenticeship at TClarke is the beginning of a long and worthwhile career.

I left school in 1992, when I was 16 years of age. I had considered staying on to do A Levels, but felt that getting an apprenticeship was the best way forward for me. I was lucky that having grown up in Peterborough, TClarke had a local office in the area and through the JTL Apprenticeship programme, I had an interview at TClarke Midlands. Little did I then know of the actual size and position of TClarke in the industry across the UK.

During my apprenticeship I really enjoyed both sides of my training, both at College and on site and I received a well-rounded Electrical Apprenticeship. During my apprenticeship, I was offered the chance to “have a go” at the office side as well, so I split my time in the later stages of my apprenticeship between site and the office, under the guidance of the experienced management team there. Whilst in the office, I was tasked with all elements of the Engineering side of the business, ranging from Estimating, Procurement, Planning, and later on Project Management, with me running my first project – a small school extension in Peterborough –  before I had turned 20.

I really enjoyed my time in the office, so after successfully completing my apprenticeship I decided to carry on my career down that path.

I think that was definitely the best path for me and have managed to progress through the ranks being Contracts Engineer, Contracts Manager, Director and my recent promotion to Managing Director of the Peterborough office. As can be seen by my example and that of many other senior members of the management team, who have progressed through the company, an apprenticeship at TClarke is the beginning of a long and worthwhile career.

Kris Kane – Junior Estimator – North

I was put on the Future Leadership Scheme, where I have learned valuable skills in communication and law. In April 2018, I was asked to come into the office as a junior estimator and –  keen to progress my career further – I accepted with delight!

I left school at the age of 16 and started my apprenticeship with Veale Nixon (TClarke Newcastle). I worked on a wide variety of projects throughout my apprenticeship, ranging from small commercial   projects to large industrial ones. This helped me gain experience in every sector of our work. In my first two years, I studied at Gateshead College on block release, completing my NVQ level 1 and 2. In my fourth year I completed my NVQ level 3 and successfully completed my apprenticeship and began employment as an electrician. 

A year after my apprenticeship, I was asked to become a Site Supervisor, where I delivered a care home refurbishment and worked on the Park View residential development. In November 2017, I was put on the Group Future Leadership scheme, where I have learned valuable skills in communication and law. In April 2018 I was asked to come into the office as a junior estimator and –  keen to progress my career further – I accepted with delight! I have now been at the company over 10 years and look forward to many more years with TClarke.

David Hay – Contracts Supervisor – Scotland

After being a foreman plumber on a number of NHBC award winning developments, an opportunity was put to me to become a Contracts Supervisor for the east of Scotland, and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.

 I started my plumbing apprenticeship with TClarke when I was 17 years old back in 2003. I worked on a number of new build projects throughout my apprenticeship across Central and East Scotland. I really enjoyed learning on the job, with some great foreman plumbers and applied myself daily so I could learn and get better. As I result of this I was awarded “Apprentice of the Year” in my second and third year of my apprenticeship. When my apprenticeship was complete, I continued my development as a plumber on new build sites, and was eventually made up to a foreman plumber. 

After being a foreman plumber on a number of NHBC award winning developments, an opportunity was put to me to become a Contracts Supervisor for the east of Scotland, and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. I’m currently enjoying the challenges the job brings on a day to day basis and I am continuing to learn and push myself to be better. I would never have thought at 17 years old I would be where I am now in TClarke, so who knows what the future holds?