Ashley is currently working towards a Level Four Sales Executive Apprenticeship at CPI, and finds it incredibly useful, but not without its challenges. He said: “I am finding the apprenticeship extremely beneficial, but it can sometimes be tricky to integrate studying within a full-time working schedule. But it’s worth it because the knowledge I am learning is helping me every day in my role with CPI.”

For Ashley, an apprenticeship wasn’t always at the front of his mind, but he has never looked back. He said “It was the role that attracted me initially, but I needed to work towards the apprenticeship to enable me to carry out the role and gain more experience. This was a no-brainer for me as I had worked for CPI before, and I had good relationships within the team. The role really intrigued me so I was willing to do whatever was necessary for me to perform the job to the best of my ability.”

Ashley has enjoyed many benefits from choosing the apprenticeship and has gained a whole new skill set. He said: “In my apprenticeship, I am learning new styles of communication, skills for sales and a range of techniques that help strategize my day so I can make the most of it. This helps me directly in performing my sales role at CPI which sees me maintaining accounts, sourcing new work and carrying out general sales duties. It’s also helped me with time management, customer skills and how to make sense of data, which all continue to support me in my full-time role.”

For other young people looking to start a career in construction, Ashley has some invaluable advice: “I would say to talk to as many people as you can in your team, and really learn from the people who have more experience than you. Pick the mind of people with 20 or 30 plus years of experience in the industry as there is so much you can learn from them.”