Daniel Hardy, Level 4 Site Supervision apprentice

Daniel Hardy, Level 4 Site Supervision apprentice at NTU Mansfield, currently working with Bowmer and Kirkland UK, shares his experience of studying on this course.

After going through college to do BTEC,  I discovered that I learn better from a practical environment, rather than a classroom environment everyday. I also wanted to earn and learn at the same time.

Both the locality and the reputation of the University.

Bowmer and Kirkland are a good local employer, with progression opportunities. I will be staying with them for at least 2 years after I have finished my course. Many of the projects within my sector, industrial and logistics, are fascinating.  My current is a 400,000 square foot warehouse extension.

Bowmer & Kirkland also previously did the Mansfield Amazon warehouse.

My week includes talking with contractors, conducting quality checks and visiting sites.  Depending on what the project is, I may be helping sub-contractors with their tasks, making sure everything is up to standard, noting anything that might need to be revisited and ensuring everyone is working safely.

My IT skills have improved, due to all of my checks required to be done through different software platforms.
I have also developed better skills in communication, time management, attention to detail, how to deal professionally with customers and how to manage challenging scenarios.

Studying this qualification means I get to be qualified and chartered at the end of it, then I can work on more complex projects. Everything we learn on the course helps us to be chartered in the end. In future roles, it will help me progress quickly and improve my practical and academic skills.

You get 10 mandatory uni days a year and you also get an hour a week at work to do some study. If you are organised and proactive it really helps.  My tutors are really supportive with my assignments in class and I have had some really good advice.

Great, no issues. The tutors are really responsive, understanding and easy to get in touch with understanding. The facilities are great and their is a good balance of teaching to having time to reflect, with enough time to get deadlines done considering you are also working.

Go for it, you don’t know until you try. You’ll most likely enjoy it if you have an interest in the area. Uni work is less intense and difficult because you can bring in skills learnt on the job into the classroom. There is a lot of variety and it keeps you on your toes!