STUDENT STORY

MEET NATHAN

NATHAN GOLLINS, A BSC (HONS) QUANTITY SURVEYING STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD, is an apprentice with Manchester-based contractor Russell WBHO on their Building Student trainee programme.

“I was absolutely over the moon to be accepted onto the programme. When I realised this huge construction company only took a handful of apprentices every year, I knew I had to work hard and I was so pleased when they put their faith in me and offered me a place.

The company invests a lot in us over the five-year training programme, putting us to work on different projects in different departments to get a feel for the variety of specialisms open to us, and they really help us with our university course too, so getting a place felt like a real privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to work on the Municipal Buildings, a £40 million heritage refurbishment project in Liverpool to transform a Grade II* listed building into a four-star hotel with a spa. I’ve also completed engineering placements on projects in Manchester city centre, getting involved with the final stages of the 158-bedroom Premier Inn on Princess Street, and working on the 33-storey £85 million Oxygen Towers residential development in Ancoats.

I knew the route I wanted to take, I wanted to do my degree but I also wanted to work and gain some experience. The apprentice route really gives you that extra step up, so in five years when I finish my apprenticeship I’ll not only have a degree but also five years’ worth of experience, which should stand me in good stead. I believe this will help me to progress within the industry, and I will have had a great time doing it.”