Seamlessly switching employers mid-apprenticeship

"This apprenticeship has changed a lot in my life and done really positive things for me, so I’d like to be able to pay that forward to other people.” Name:…

Working, earning and studying simultaneously through an apprenticeship

Jodi-Ann Morgan, Junior Cost Consultant with Arcadis Consulting and winner of UCEM's Apprentice of the Year - Undergraduate award in 2024, has thrived on the apprenticeship model and the ability…

From 100-hour weeks in utilities to quantity surveying

Jack Bradshaw, Trainee Quantity Surveyor with Cooper & Hall Limited, has successfully transitioned from the utilities industry to an exciting career in the built environment. Name: Jack Bradshaw Job role:…

Encouraging existing staff to upskill

"The apprenticeship scheme has enabled more women to enter the industry on a level playing field.” Name: Paul Pratten Job role: Associate Director Company: Quadrant Building Control Paul is Associate…

Fostering diversity and facilitating social mobility through apprenticeships

"You can’t be a good representative of an organisation if you don’t get the support equally from UCEM. For me the relationship works so well at both ends because both…

Championing apprentices from the technical team

“The apprenticeship route gives an opportunity to people who wouldn’t previously have thought of construction as an option, whether that’s surveying, sustainability, or contracts." Name: William Tobin Job role: Senior…

Improving public sector diversity through apprenticeships

“I keep recommending UCEM to other government agencies that employ surveyors – it’s 100% UCEM all the way for me now!” Name: Morag Watson Job role: Estates Team Leader Company:…

Growing an apprenticeship scheme from the ground up

David Ashford, People and Culture Lead at Ward Williams Associates, has significantly grown the company's intake of apprenticeships over the last three years with the support of UCEM. Name: David…

What is urban greening (and how is it creating the cities of the future)?

Urban greening isn’t just making the cities of the future green – it’s helping them become sustainable, too. Here’s how. The built environment is at a crossroads. As a sector,…

Green leases, defined: how can they improve sustainability in real estate?

Implementing green leasing could help address the role of operational carbon emissions in the ongoing climate crisis. Read on to find out how. While gas, oil, automotive and aviation are…

The intrinsic link between ESG and the built environment

Implementing ESG can help built environment businesses demonstrate progress on their sustainability ambitions and goals. Today, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) dominates the conversation when it comes to business strategy.…

It’s not easy, being green – are green building certifications just greenwash?

Certifications like BREEAM and LEED have been lauded in sustainability circles, but just how much importance should be placed on them? If you’ve had any experience in the built environment,…