Our support in ‘Building for the future’

In support of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, we wanted to shine a light on the positive differences that apprenticeships can make in our industry.

Apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required to have a rewarding career, and are a great tool for businesses to help enable them to develop a talented workforce which is equipped with future-ready skills. In our 86th year, we are proud to be able to promote the many stories of team members who have worked from apprentice through to senior manager, and are still with us today.

Career Progression at NMSB

NMSB is an extremely diverse company. This provides not only opportunity to develop within the department you are part of, but also transfer throughout the business. From working with large construction machinery, raw materials, gaining health and safety qualifications, being involved with the restoration and biodiversity of our quarries, training in sales and marketing, gaining management qualifications, or becoming a fully qualified accountant. Becoming an apprentice or trainee in the building materials industry, really is a great place to start and continue your career.

We wanted to share Toby’s experience. Toby is our Apprentice Materials Technician.

Toby initially joined us in 2018 for his year 10 work experience whilst he was still studying at Arnewood School. Dreaming of a career as a palaeontologist, when it came to looking for work experience, the lack of local dinosaurs posed an issue, so he and his Dad agreed that NMSB and its link to excavating materials and the restoration programmes we deliver, may be the next best thing.

During his two weeks with us, Toby worked with many departments but the one that he most enjoyed was in our technical department. Everything we produce must be tested to make certain we conform to the relevant standards. This involves sampling, lab trials and testing, along with creating specific concrete mixes, carrying out audits, and product development.

Apprenticeship Opportunity

Ian Harman our Technical Manager was very impressed by Toby’s drive and enthusiasm and offered him an apprenticeship with NMSB upon finishing his A Levels. For the years that followed, whilst completing his studies, Toby decided to learn as much as he could about our business and worked on Saturdays in our New Milton Builder's Merchants. This gave him a well-rounded knowledge of our products and allowed him to build relationships with our customers too.

When Toby finished school in June 2021, we kept to our word, and in September he joined us as an Apprentice Materials Technician. His role involves working closely with the other technicians to learn how we grade, screen, and test our aggregates, sampling and testing concrete and ensuring the quality of our products meets the relevant BSI standards. NMSB will soon be supporting Toby in completing the necessary qualifications to assist him with his career.

Toby commented:

“I might not be working with the dinosaurs I dreamed of, but I am working with the materials that preserved them for thousands of years. I am really enjoying my work and can’t wait for our brand new lab to be finished at New Milton. By continuing to learn and grow with the company, I can totally see my future as the new Technical Manager here, allowing Ian to retire, safe in the knowledge that he has left the technical department in capable hands!”

Watching people progress through apprenticeships or trainee roles is something we are keen to continue with. NMSB are also part of the Builder's Merchant Federations (BMF) pioneering Ambassador programme, working with schools and colleges to promote the opportunities offered throughout the industry.

Join us!

If you are interested in joining our business and want to find out more about where you could start please get in touch with our HR team recruitment@nmsb.co.uk or call 01425 624321, or go to our careers page here.