Last year, we introduced Luke Murfin, our property maintenance apprentice, as he proudly followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, becoming the third generation of his family to join Van Elle.
Having recently completed his apprenticeship, Luke’s career journey is set to continue as a Property Maintenance Operative.
Luke will now take on more responsibility of his own, working within our Kirkby and Pinxton offices.
One year on, we chat with Luke about the opportunities the apprenticeship gave him, and how his studies have been going over the last 12 months. As well as, what it’s like working at Van Elle and his advice to those considering an apprenticeship.
Currently, my role has involved refurbishing our offices at Pinxton and helping to maintain the running of the Kirkby office. These have included tasks such as brickwork, blockwork, tiling, and carpentry. Brick and blockwork are areas I particularly excel within and even completed my testing a month ahead of my classmates. As I progress, I aim to gain more skills and take on additional responsibilities.
One of the highlights was spending the summer working on the new Pinxton Office refurbishments and getting to know everyone. It was a fantastic experience that allowed me to build connections and learn from experienced individuals within the industry.
I would say that my most valuable skill is in brick and blockwork. It’s an area where I excelled during my college training, and it has opened potential career paths for me. Additionally, I’ve become more confident in communicating in a professional environment, which is crucial for personal and career growth.
There are many routes I am considering at the moment, as my apprenticeship has helped open many doors. I have also considered exploring the piling sector. However, my main goal is to obtain my driver’s license which will help give me more independence.
One notable challenge was the time in which we had to learn and prepare in order to qualify. The apprenticeship was initially a one-year course, and I had to learn the entire curriculum within that period. However, I overcame it, and I’m proud to say that I completed the course successfully.
Now, the course has changed to a two-year duration, which I believe will give future apprentices a better chance at gaining this worthwhile qualification.
Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to earn good money while gaining valuable skills. They also provide a platform to make connections within the industry and learn from experienced individuals. I highly recommend apprenticeships for anyone considering a career in construction.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, my advice would be to seek help whenever you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know something. You are not expected to be an expert. I’ve found that everyone is more than willing to lend a hand and provide valuable guidance.
Visit the NAW website here or for more information about a career at Van Elle, visit our careers page.