Obviously, degree level qualifications play a big part in training some very important roles in our industry such as architects for example. But when leaving school, I was very sure that completing A-Level’s and attending university full time wasn’t the route for me. I feel I can highlight this through my career path how you don’t need a degree to be very successful in the construction industry.
When I left school just under 9 years ago, I joined the construction industry through the apprenticeship route undertaking a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship working for F. Parkinson Ltd. After completing this apprenticeship, I was employed by my still current employer as a full-time joiner. While working as a joiner on site I was afforded the opportunity from my employer at night to also undertake an HNC level qualification to help me progress hopefully in the future to a professional role working in the office. After undertaking a small period of time in the office my company offered me a role as a trainee estimator working in the office where I was put on a training plan to hopefully progress successful into the role of an estimator. After completing this training plan back in 2019 I have been working as an estimator for F. Parkinson ever since; the same company where my journey started as an apprentice back when I was 16 years old – 9 years ago.
Even though I completed a higher-level qualification following on from my apprenticeship, to this day I still haven’t and probably never will complete a full-time degree at university. But even though I don’t have a full degree to my name I still think I have formed a great career from myself from being an apprentice joiner when I left school all the way to now being an construction estimator where I price million pounds worth of work every year.
Furthermore, if you speak to or look into many professional leaders within our industry, I bet you can find many who have never completed a degree but are still filling some of the most important roles within the construction industry. I take great pride in knowing that the managing director of my company F. Parkinson came through the apprentice background himself and that fills me with great confidence that If I keep working hard every day that one day, I may be able to take up an similar role.
I hope this highlight’s how to be successful in the construction industry not everyone needs a degree. All you need is to do the simple things right in the first instance; turning up on time, listening and working hard everyday and I can guarantee you won’t go far wrong in creating a wonderful career for yourself in the construction industry.
If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to try and help inspire next generation through my role as an estimator and an G4C member.
Many thanks for reading,
Author – Jack Cook
Twitter – @jcook95
LinkedIn – Jack Cook
