To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we’ve reached out to a number of our talented apprentices across the company to hear about their experiences and what their apprenticeship journey has meant to them.
At Van Elle, we recognise that apprenticeships are vital to our growth and success, both as a company and within the wider industry.
Apprentices bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a passion for learning that inspire innovation at every level.
We are proud to support the next generation of talent, providing them with the resources and guidance they need to develop skills for life, ensuring they thrive and contribute to our continued success.
Our apprentices represent a variety of stages in both their education and careers. From NVQ Level 2 to Level 6, they’re gaining qualifications in fields like IT, quantity surveying, and civil engineering.
Here’s what a few of our apprentices from different areas of the business have shared about their apprenticeship experience.
Aidan Shepherd, IT Apprentice, commented: “I’ve been doing my apprenticeship for two years and I’m almost at the finish line, just waiting on my results and focusing on progression within the IT team. My time at Van Elle has been a great foundation covering all the basics I need to move onto gaining my Cisco certification, which is a goal of mine”.
Kian O’Hara, Apprentice Fitter, said: “My apprenticeship at Van Elle has been a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. It’s a good place to work and learn, with a supportive environment and colleagues who are always there to help. I’ve gained valuable hands-on experience while learning, and the skills and knowledge I’ve developed have boosted my confidence. I’m excited to keep progressing and further developing my skills in the future.”
Bradley Mellor, Civil Engineer, mentioned: “I am working towards completing my Level 4 HNC which concludes later this year. I chose the apprenticeship route because I wanted to start gaining experience to help me towards my qualifications. The whole Specialist team have supported me throughout my apprenticeship, helping me to gain the knowledge and experience to help me succeed”.
Nils Rollinson, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, said: “An apprenticeship is the best route for my role, offering the perfect balance between university and real-world experience. Van Elle have been incredibly accommodating, giving me all the time I need to focus on my education. I am excited to complete my degree in June this year and continue my pathway to becoming a Chartered Surveyor”.
To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week, visit the NAW website here. For more information about starting a career at Van Elle, visit our careers page.