With an increasing number of students looking for an alternative to full-time education, Higgins has launched Building Your Future, its new management training Programme
Declan Higgins, partnership director at Higgins, comments: “There is a lot of pressure on students to complete their exams and go into full-time further education, but for some, a more vocational pathway to qualifications is the preferred choice.
“Our Management Training Programme has been created to identify young talent who want to work and develop careers within the Construction Industry and Built Environment. It allows individuals to get a taste for a number of core disciplines throughout the business before deciding on an area to specialise in.”
Once enrolled in Building Your Future, flexible rotations allow trainees to spend four months in four different departments before selecting one area of the business to pursue their career.
The Management Training roles on offer at Higgins include:
- Construction Management
- Commercial
- Estimating/Pre-Construction
- Planning
- New Business
- Technical Coordination
- Health and Safety
During term times trainees work four days a week, with the remaining day spent at an industry accredited University, working towards a Construction related BSc (Hons) degree.
Building Your Future fully funds the degree and allows individuals the opportunity to ‘earn whilst they learn’ without the burden of debt once the course has been completed. Individuals will earn a competitive salary and also benefit from performance-based annual pay rises.
Whilst at Higgins, each management trainee will also be enrolled in a mentor programme whereby a senior employee provides individuals guidance on their career at Higgins as well as assistance with their studies.
James, who has completed his rotation and now specialises in surveying, said: “After leaving school with A levels I started a politics degree but knew fairly quickly that this was not the route I wanted to take.
“I began working at a small contractor as a Trainee Surveyor and then came across the opportunity to join Higgins and enrol on their Management Training Programme. I grabbed the chance as it allowed me to work and get qualified at the same time.
“Higgins has a lot of experienced people, who have been with the company for a long time and you always feel you are supported because they know you are learning and are happy to answer questions.
“I love the variety of working in the construction industry; one day you could be on-site, the next day in a meeting at Head Office or reviewing drawings with a client. You also get to work with a wide variety of people with different expertise.
“I really feel that my career is being fast-tracked; I recently got promoted to Assistant Contract Surveyor and I am gaining a wealth of experience.”
