Apprenticeships

Why choose an apprenticeship with us?

As a business we’re proud of our heritage and focused on our future.

We have a long and successful history of training apprentices, which dates back to 1934 and since then, over 5,700 people have completed an apprenticeship with us. Many of our apprentices have won national and industry awards before progressing into senior management positions within our business.

Our award-winning approach develops the behaviours, skills, knowledge and experience our apprentices need to build a successful career. We work in partnership with a national network of colleges to offer some of the best training in the industry.

For any inquiries about the apprenticeships, please contact apprenticeships@ngbailey.co.uk.

Apprenticeships Hints and Tips

We are a proud member of The 5% Club, a select group of companies committed to increasing the number of apprentices and graduates in the workforce.

What apprenticeships are we offering in 2023?

We offer 15 different apprenticeships in total, the majority of which are focused on a range of electrical, mechanical and technical specialisms, as well as a number of business based roles.

As one of our apprentices, you will be fully supported throughout your programme with us. Our apprenticeship development team are there to make sure you get the best out of the business and the business gets the best out of you.

Our six most popular apprenticeships are:

Project Engineer Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as a building services project engineer. This apprenticeship offers a combination of office based and site based work and will include extensive outdoor work on building sites and partially completed structures.

Design (Building Services) Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as a building services design engineer. This apprenticeship offers a combination of office based and site based work and will include some outdoor work on building sites and partially completed structures.

Electrotechnical Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as an electrician. This role includes installing and maintaining electrical equipment and systems in commercial and industrial premises. You will be mainly site based, which includes extensive outdoor work on building sites and partially completed structures. You will also need a colour vision test certificate to undertake this role.

Estimating (Building Services) Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as a building services engineer (bid team). This apprenticeship offers office based work and includes extensive estimating work on projects for mechanical and electrical services, ranging in value from £1 million to £100 million.

Industrial Heating and Plumbing Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as a heating and ventilation engineer. Your role will involve the installation of large heating and ventilation systems in industrial and commercial premises. You will be mainly site based, which includes extensive outdoor work on building sites and partially completed structures.

Quantity Surveying Apprentice

Designed to prepare you for a career as a quantity surveyor. You will be working closely with our commercial team to provide support across a range of projects and sectors. Following completion of your apprenticeship, you will follow a RICS accredited training scheme, geared towards achieving Chartered status.

Introducing two new IT Services Apprenticeships.

With technology and connectivity playing a leading role in all our lives, our decision to launch apprenticeships in IT Services ensures our talent of tomorrow is at the forefront of the digital revolution. Watch the video to get a to insight into what IT Services is, and how an IT Services Apprenticeship can help ensure not just skills for life, but a clear career path within the construction industry.

Other apprenticeships include:

Building Information Modelling

Welding

Planning (Building Services)

Procurement

Bids and Proposals

Building Services Engineering

Digital Technology Solutions

Network Cable Installer

Instrument technician

A day in the life of our apprentices

When you undertake an apprenticeship with us, your role incorporates a variety of different tasks, activities and projects, so it’s likely that no two days will be ever the same.

By working with different departments and people across our business, it allows you to gain a better understanding of what we do, develop key skills and qualities relevant to your role and build key relationships with others.

We’ll let some of our apprentices to tell you about their roles with us:

Alex - Electrical Advanced

"Starting your career in the industry you desire and being an apprentice allows you to be around like-minded individuals which is very motivating and propelling. A day on site is never the same, so the challenges and experiences are always never ending, there is so much to learn and absorb. I have loved getting to know all my colleagues and gain the sense of being part of something valuable. Working hands on has been the upmost enjoyable experience and I am glad I chose NG Bailey as they provide you with all the tools that you need to excel."

Menesh - Electrical Installation and Maintenance

“There's been many challenges throughout the 4 months that I've been here. Each day is a challenge, as you do not know what is going to happen. There could be anything from leaks to machinery that needs fixing. I get a lot of satisfaction from being able to come up with solutions. No day is the same. Every day is different with challenges to overcome. There is always something new to learn and to solve every day.”

Samuel - Quantity Surveyor

“I can genuinely say that I don’t have a typical day. It is very rare that I am doing the same thing every day. When on-site, every day is different tasks and teams to work with. Back in the office I created spreadsheets and compiled data whilst getting to know the team I will be working with as a Quantity Surveyor. Currently, I am working within the estimating team and every day has produced something different whether it be calling sub-contractors and suppliers, working through take-off drawings both electrical and mechanical and learning as much as possible with the experience that I have around me.”

Johnny – Project Engineer

“My day as an Apprentice Project Engineer consists of constant communication with suppliers and subcontractors, meetings with other contractors and clients. I wouldn’t have been able to learn as much as I have without the outstanding support of my team and many others throughout the business who have always been there to assist me with any help I need or questions I may have. NG Bailey offers me the chance to encounter many things, develop new skills and form working relationships throughout the business.”

Lucy – Procurement

“No day is ever the same as an apprentice with NG Bailey, there is always something new to learn. My day normally consists of meetings with suppliers, negotiating deals, visiting our different sites and finalising orders, so being able to communicate well and work as part of a team is essential. Being a procurement apprentice allows you to get a full understanding of the industry and expand your knowledge, as well as create great relationships.”

Shakib - Electrical Service & Maintenance

“An apprenticeship is the perfect pathway for me to learn and earn at the same time. It offers an ideal opportunity to access extensive knowledge, expert guidance, and support. The NG Bailey apprenticeship certainly offers all this value and much more. By understanding my passion and purpose, I understood an apprenticeship was the right fit for me and I have been able to grasp the opportunities that it offers and believe that it was the correct choice for my career path."

Where they are now

We are proud to say that at the end of their programme most of our graduating apprentices successfully move into a permanent role with us. Find out where some of our former apprentices are now:

Olivia Ayres-Norman - Quantity Surveyor

Meet former apprentice Olivia. Now a Quantity Surveyor, Olivia has been with NG Bailey for over six years. Olivia highlights how the benefit of working hands-on alongside her learning as a major pull factor of an apprenticeship. She has enjoyed relationship building and the variation of work as part of her apprenticeship journey. Since the completion of her apprenticeship, Olivia has completed her degree and is now studying towards her RCIS qualification. She knows the importance of asking the right question and that her opinion counts.

Joshua Clarke - ITS Project Engineer

Meet former apprentice Joshua. Once an apprentice, Joshua has been with NG Bailey for ten years and is now a Project Engineer. Joshua has progressed through various roles within the business and highlights the support he has received in getting to where he is today. He knows first-hand that with the right attitude and focus that genuine career progression is available for anyone willing to embrace the challenge. Watch the video to find out more about Joshua, his journey, and his top tip for any new mechanical and electrical apprentices.