On National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating our largest cohort of apprentices to date, with more than 30 apprentices, degree apprentices and T-Level students currently being supported across the business.
Our early careers intake reflects our long-term commitment to developing future construction professionals through a range of learning pathways.
The 2025/26 cohort represents around 8% of Beard’s 360-strong workforce, a marked increase on the UK construction sector average of around 5%, according to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Industry figures also show that only around 20% of construction businesses employ an apprentice, and just 10% employ more than one, highlighting the scale of Beard’s investment in skills development.
Beard currently has six apprentices in roles including quantity surveying, site management, and property maintenance, as well as credit control in the firm’s central office.
A further nine degree apprentices are working in Beard’s offices in Swindon, Bristol, Guildford and Oxford studying quantity surveying, design, and site management.
For the first time, 15 T-Level students are also being supported by the company, including 12 from Abingdon and Witney College, after Beard sponsored the entire Planning for Construction cohort for 2025/26.
Neil Sherreard, Deputy Chairman
From T-Level to site management: Caio’s career at Beard
Caio Da Silva is completing part-time two-year HNC in Construction and the Built Environment Level 4 ,which began in August 2025, progressing to a three-year part-time Construction Management or Quantity Surveying degree.
As a Trainee Site Manager, he is currently working on the redevelopment of Burgoyne House, Swindon, where he is gaining practical experience on all aspects of site and project management.
Caio said: “Beard has been great in treating me like any other member of the team and giving me plenty of responsibility and support. I’ve been managing the scope of work for the parapet roofs on the project, which has seen me ensure all trades are lined-up and supply chain are working safely, as well as managing timelines, budget and ensuring quality of delivery.
“This is a big responsibility, but I’m keen to learn and take on the challenge.”
Caio currently works four days on site and one doing online learning through the Learning Skills Partnership.
The apprenticeship hasn’t been Caio’s first experience at Beard; he completed his T-Level in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction with the firm whilst at Cirencester College last year.
“It was like a year-long interview,” Caio said. “And I knew I wanted to stay on with Beard once my T-Level completed. I kept in touch with the team and my persistence paid off.
“I’ve returned back to the Swindon office, working with many of the same colleagues, so I kept a good relationship with them and the Beard approach to working too.”
During his T-Level, which saw Caio spend three days a week at college and two on site, he worked on the Fraser Centre in Swindon, a new build project of four industrial units.
Jamie Harwood, our Swindon and Health & Safety Director, said "Caio’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn impressed the Swindon team during his T-level placement so we were delighted to welcome him back last August on a full-time contract to complete his apprenticeship."
Caio Da Silva, Trainee Site Manager
We also have eight construction trainees currently undertaking a year-in-industry placement, many of whom have already been offered full-time roles upon completion of their studies later this year.
Read about careers at Beard.
