Dandara Apprentice Lays the Foundation for a Bright Future in Housebuilding

Deciding whether to continue education or enter the workforce can be daunting for school leavers. However, with hands-on experience and a strong passion for the built environment, 19-year-old Harry Collins was confident in his choice to kick start his career in the housebuilding industry.

With National Apprenticeship Week around the corner (10–16 February 2025), Harry Collins, who works for independent housebuilder Dandara, is a great testament to how far an apprenticeship can take you when supported by a structured trainee programme.

After successfully completing his GCSEs and earning A-levels in Geography, English and PE, Harry, who is from the Bedford area, decided to pursue a career in construction but wanted a path that combined practical experience with a qualification. “I had a traditional route through education, and some work experience on construction sites,” he says. “Seeing how the industry works day to day and taking part in real projects gives you the understanding you need in a more realistic way than just through studying. For me, I was keen to work with experienced people and learn on the job.

“I started looking for apprenticeships that began in September; I explored many different opportunities and even received a couple of offers. However, when I came across Dandara’s Management Trainee Scheme, what stood out to me was the company’s commitment to excellence and its values. I liked that the housebuilder is independent, privately-owned, and has held an HBF 5* rating for four years running, with consistently outstanding survey results.

“It was a real draw for me to see that at Dandara there’s a mindset within the team that strives for excellence and people take real pride in what they do. I researched case studies and could see that Dandara invests in apprentices’ development and creates a great culture for people to grow.”

With so many possible career paths in front of him, Harry initially found it difficult to make a choice, but the nature of Dandara’s Management Trainee Scheme meant that he could get a taste of numerous different roles within the industry before having to specialise. Its comprehensive training programme gives apprentices hands-on experience across various disciplines, helping them discover their true passion. “The construction industry offers an impressive range of careers beyond traditional roles like bricklaying or electrical work,” says Harry. “I knew I wanted to continue gaining practical on-the-job experience, which ultimately led me to Dandara.

“I am currently rotating through several departments within the business, including commercial, technical, sales, finance, land, customer care, and construction (spending one month in each). I enjoy experiencing different departments and understanding how they connect to commercial operations.”

Harry continues, “Each department has a designated mentor overseeing my activities and Dandara has structured the programme exceptionally well. Although moving between departments might seem stressful, the process has been seamless so far, and the apprenticeship has provided me with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the company. The range of experience and getting to fully immerse myself into the different departments, has given me a much clearer idea in my head of the housebuilding industry.”

For Harry, it turns out that his passion is surveying, and he has set his heart on becoming a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor – an ambition that is perfectly possible with the support he has at work. By combining working four days a week for Dandara, with studying one day a week at The University College of Estate Management in Reading, he will be able to gain a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying.

Looking to the future, Harry shares: “My goal is to gain as much experience as possible in each department, to become a Quantity Surveyor by the end of the apprenticeship. Surveying is a lot more than just bricks and mortar. There is so much to get stuck into, develop your knowledge on and improve core skills. The Management Trainee Scheme provides a professional qualification, fully funded by Dandara, while offering practical experience.”

Behind Dandara’s trainee drive is Alison Murphy, Learning & Development Manager, who is determined to help bridge the skills gap in the industry. She says: “The Government is pressing the industry to build 1.5 million new homes, but the most crucial element driving the whole project is missing - the workforce to deliver these ambitions. Dandara’s Management Trainee Scheme is designed for both school-leavers and more mature career-changers, and as National Apprenticeship Week beckons, we are here to help anyone who is passionate about kickstarting their career in this exciting and growing industry.”

As for Harry, he is keen to promote apprenticeships to others who may be considering a career in the built environment: “If you are driven and eager to enter the workforce, I would highly recommend it. Apprenticeships are ideal for those who are dedicated and motivated. Organisation and planning are key to success. I would 100% recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, it allows you to develop quickly and gain valuable experience early on.”