BAM Construction Midland Limited

West Midlands based construction employer BAM Construction Midland Limited (BAM) design, construct, refurbish and operate outstanding buildings for public and private sector clients – including recent projects at Three Snowhill, 103 Colmore Row and Paradise in central Birmingham.

BAM currently have 7 regional direct level 4 and above apprentices and six T Level students on industry placement, with five more in the pipeline to start with the business. Seeing apprentices as the next generation of construction professionals, BAM recruit at Level 4 on their degree apprenticeship programme, whilst they host construction T Level students on industry placement - giving the business the opportunity to place students on sites whilst establishing which route is best suited for them. T Level students can then apply for an apprenticeship with the business on completion of their T Level course.

BAM has found through their experience of technical education that young people do not know the different routes that are open to them in the construction industry, and through their approach, they are able to support apprentices and students to achieve pathways in other construction disciplines, including building services management and quantity surveying.

The business especially realised the positive impact of technical education, and although it is early days, they are seeing young people in the region with an interest in engineering are steering towards mechanical and electrical services, which is enabling BAM to plan for the future, as their senior staff near retirement. The business also recognises the importance of the next generation of young construction professionals having an underpinning knowledge of Net Zero Carbon technology and material specifications, and they see T Levels being the training scheme that can deliver this learning.

Phil Eves, education co-ordinator at BAM said:

“Progression planning is the main reason for investment in technical education here at BAM, creating the next wave of construction managers, in an industry where there has been significant reduction in training over the last couple of decades.

“There are some fantastic providers out there who are delivering the right level of education in partnership with employers. This is the key point – employers should sign up and become one of the employers who works to ensure that they get what they need from a young person - who could go on to join your company. Don’t be afraid to be that influencer.”