What if learning didn’t only happen in a classroom, but on real projects, alongside experienced colleagues?
And what if you could earn a salary while building the skills for a lifelong profession?
For many young people in the UK, this isn’t a hypothetical question. It’s the reality of an apprenticeship – and at KAEFER UK & Ireland, it’s becoming an increasingly important pathway into the industry.
At KAEFER, this approach is nothing new. Apprenticeships have been part of the company’s story for almost a century.
The very first KAEFER apprentice started in Germany in 1935. Since then, generations of young people have taken their first professional steps with the company. Over the decades, this tradition has grown across borders. Today, apprentices are part of KAEFER Teams in numerous countries continuing the same spirit of learning by doing.
KAEFER UK & Ireland has been offering apprenticeships since the early days of the business, and the programme continues to grow. In fact, last year alone over 90 apprentices and trainees joined the business, gaining practical experience while building the skills needed for long-term careers.
But what does an apprenticeship actually look like in practice?
Learning by doing
Unlike the traditional university route, apprenticeships in the UK combine paid employment with practical training and formal qualifications. From day one, apprentices are part of the workforce but alongside their day-to-day work, they also complete formal training with an accredited provider. Often this happens through block-release programmes, where apprentices spend dedicated periods at a training centre or college focusing on technical knowledge, assessments and theory.
Depending on the trade, these programmes can last several years. By the time apprentices complete their training, they not only hold a recognised qualification but have also gained valuable real-world experience working alongside skilled professionals.
It’s an approach often described with a simple phrase that perfectly captures its appeal: “earn while you learn.”
For some, that phrase is more than just a concept – it’s a life-changing opportunity.
Two brothers, one career path
For Brooklyn and Declyn, two scaffolding apprentices at KAEFER UK & Ireland, the apprenticeship route offered exactly the kind of start they were looking for.
Instead of choosing a purely academic pathway, the brothers opted for a career that would allow them to “get it all in one”: the education, the practical experience and the salary. Their days are far from ordinary: working on a complex industrial site, developing technical skills, and gaining insights that simply can’t be taught in a lecture hall.
In the video showcasing a day in the life of a KAEFER apprentice, the twins offer an authentic glimpse into their daily routine.
Because apprenticeships aren’t just about learning a job – they’re about building a future.
More than training
At KAEFER UK & Ireland, apprenticeships are designed to develop more than technical skills.
Each apprentice is supported by experienced mentors who provide guidance throughout their journey. Alongside practical on-site experience, apprentices complete structured training with accredited providers, often through block-release programmes where they spend dedicated periods focusing on theory and assessments.
The result? A powerful combination of practical expertise and formal qualifications.
For example, trade apprenticeships such as thermal insulation or scaffolding can span several years, allowing apprentices to steadily build their competence until they are recognised as fully skilled workers. Office-based apprenticeships, such as business administration, typically follow shorter programmes and also provide valuable professional qualifications and experience.
It’s a system designed to create confident, capable professionals ready to contribute from day one.
A parent’s perspective
Choosing the right path after school is a big moment not only for young people – but also for their families.
To support parents who are helping their children make that decision, KAEFER UK & Ireland has also shared a video with a different perspective. In it, KAEFER Painting Supervisor Derek Breckenridge talks about apprenticeships from the viewpoint of someone who knows the industry inside out.
His son, Rory, is now following in his father’s footsteps and completing a painting apprenticeship with KAEFER.
In the video, Derek explains how the apprenticeship has benefited his son, both in terms of skills and personal maturity. He shares the story behind his son’s motivation for choosing this path and offers advice to other parents.
Growing skills for the future
Apprenticeships have long played an important role in the construction and industrial services sectors.
By welcoming new apprentices each year, KAEFER UK & Ireland helps ensure that these specialist skills continue to be passed on. Experienced colleagues share their knowledge on site, while apprentices bring fresh motivation and curiosity to the teams they join.
It’s a natural cycle of learning and mentoring – and one that benefits everyone involved.
The company has even set itself a clear ambition: at least five percent of the workforce will be engaged in earn-and-learn careers.
Because when young people are given the chance to learn a trade, the whole industry grows stronger.
A career that keeps growing
Completing an apprenticeship is only the start.
Many apprentices continue their careers within KAEFER, progressing into specialist roles, supervisory positions or further training opportunities. Some expand their skills with additional qualifications such as rope access certifications or inspection roles, opening doors to projects across different divisions and locations.
The career journeys that begin with an apprenticeship can lead almost anywhere.
Just ask Paul Ferrand, who began his career as a trainee scaffolder and later progressed into senior leadership roles within the industry. Today, he works as an Operational Delivery Lead on one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.
So, is an apprenticeship the right choice?
For young people leaving school, the decision about what to do next can feel overwhelming.
Should you follow the traditional academic route?
Or would you rather learn by doing?
For those who thrive in practical environments, enjoy teamwork and want to enter the world of work early, apprenticeships offer a compelling alternative.
And perhaps most importantly, they offer something that many graduates only gain years later: a clear sense of direction.
The future starts here
As industries evolve and demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, apprenticeships are becoming more important than ever.
At KAEFER UK & Ireland, they represent an investment in people, skills and the future of the business.
Because sometimes the best way to learn isn’t by sitting in a lecture theatre. Sometimes it’s by putting on your hard hat, stepping onto a real project, and discovering that your career has already begun.
Earn while you learn – and build something that lasts.
Note: Written by humans – with a little help from GenAI. This article combines human understanding and intelligent digital tools to bring KAEFER stories to life.