Apprentices shine in construction firm’s summer project

The next generation of construction professionals at Bowmer + Kirkland have been putting their skills and knowledge to the test in an annual challenge.

The construction giant’s annual Degree Apprenticeship Summer Project saw its degree apprentices take on a mock tender exercise.

The six-week project brought together seven multidisciplinary teams of first and second-year degree apprentices from across Bowmer + Kirkland and its group companies.

Apprentices were deliberately mixed into teams, bringing people from different regions, businesses and job roles together.

Their challenge was to prepare a full mock tender for a 405,000 sq ft warehouse development before presenting their proposals to members of Bowmer + Kirkland’s board of directors.

The project is designed to replicate the collaborative and commercial environment apprentices will experience during their careers, while developing key skills including teamwork, communication, commercial awareness, problem-solving and presentation.

This year’s winning team impressed the judging panel with the quality of their tender submission and presentation highlighting that their collaborative approach was central to their success.

Chris Kirkland, main board member and chairman of the B+K Training Board, said: “This year’s summer project proved to be one of the longest to deliberate.

“It was an extremely tough decision to choose a winning team as all had approached the project and final presentation with great effort, enthusiasm and professionalism – well done everyone.”

The Summer Project forms part of Bowmer + Kirkland’s wider commitment to developing early-career talent and giving its degree apprentices practical experience alongside their academic studies.

The company’s degree apprenticeship programme combines university study with hands-on experience across its construction and group businesses, helping apprentices develop the technical, commercial and interpersonal skills required for a successful career in the construction industry.