Michael
Scaffolder
See what a real apprentice has to say about working in the construction industry.
At a glance
RoleScaffolder
Aged: 21
Subject of study: I’m studying for a part one scaffolding course with ConstructionSkills in Glasgow.
Apply now
Ready to Apply?
If you are ready to apply for an Apprenticeship we have a quick
and easy way to get you started.
Start your application
Which company do you work for?
I work for Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering.
What do you do day-to-day?
We work on various projects such as the Edinburgh Waverley train
station and I'm currently working on the Forth Rail Bridge. We're
erecting the scaffolding for the painters to come and paint the
bridge. They're giving it a new coat of paint which will
last 25 years.
Do you feel supported by
ConstructionSkills?
In this apprenticeship it makes it clear what courses I need to
do and what road I need to follow. The instructors here help me day
by day and help me to achieve my goal of becoming a fully qualified
scaffolder.
Why did you choose this career?
When I left school, scaffolding was the first thing I applied
for and luckily I got the job. That was just me getting into it and
I've never regretted it. I enjoy it.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced?
The biggest challenge for me is probably dealing with the
heights, sometimes in excess of 75 metres. My mates ask me
all the time what it's like working at height, especially where I
work on the Forth Rail Bridge! They ask me if I'm scared and I tell
them I've just got used to it. I was a bit scared at first but you
just get on with it.
What would you say to anyone who wanted to try
this?
I would say to people when they come here, if you ask for help
you just get it, nobody criticises you. It's there for you if you
need it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years time I see myself with the company I'm with
now, hopefully progressing eventually to become a supervisor of
some sort. That's my aspiration anyway.