It’s National Careers Week 2021.
Now, there’s no set path for a career and there’s no ‘right way’ or ‘wrong way’. You’ve just got to do it ‘your way’.
As proven by Antony Minshull…
Back in 2014, Antony Minshull applied for a joinery apprentice role through Calico Enterprise’s ‘Constructing the Future’ shared apprenticeship scheme, with hopes of gaining a wide range of construction experience with different contractors throughout the three-year course.
After spending his first year as an apprentice on different sites in Pendle, Antony embarked on his second year with Ring Stones, a construction company within The Calico Group. He was initially put on the maintenance side and worked with the in-house team. This further helped Antony to build on his knowledge and experience. He was then offered him an opportunity to switch to their new build sites.
This new challenge quickly escalated Antony’s development in a big way. Here, he learned about all aspects of site work, from roofing through to final fixing, giving him an in-depth overview and vast experience in a full spectrum of work involved in the project.
Colleagues and manager’s spotted Antony’s potential and they offered him additional mentoring and guidance to encourage him to succeed as a sole trader within the industry.
Once his apprenticeship ended in August 2017, Antony decided to use his newfound confidence and skillset by becoming self-employed.
One of his first jobs was on a new project which had been awarded by Ring Stones. This sparked the idea of him setting up his own limited company in order to start pricing for works and win contracts in the future.
Setting up his own limited company came with a few challenges. Antony had to learn how to create his own tender packs, pricing, risk assessments and method statements, amongst other aspects required.
Antony won a contract to work on Florence Avenue; a site which created a multi-generational neighbourhood of 24 bungalows in South West Burnley. This led to him taking on two freelance joiners to help with the build. After Florence Avenue, Antony went on to work successfully on several other local regeneration projects and continues to gain contracts.
More than six years later, Antony has now gone full circle and set up his own joinery business, Minshull Joinery, becoming a trusted and valuable subcontractor for Ring Stones. He is also in a position to look at employing his own apprentices through the same scheme that initially helped him, helping to boost employment in the area.
Antony says, “I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by Calico Enterprise and Ring Stones. Looking to the future and focusing on growth progression and exposure is at the forefront of my plans, having priced for further works for Ring Stones. I’ve also contacted several other firms to start and grow with other construction firms.
“Hopefully, as my business continues to grow, I can give back by passing my knowledge on, with plans in place for taking on my own apprentices so someone else can have the opportunities and experience I have had.”
Jane Smith, Partnership and Apprenticeship Manager at Calico Enterprise, said “When the Skills and Employment team first met Antony he was working in the call centre. He realised that this was not the job he wanted longer term and asked if he could start a joinery apprenticeship through our innovative Shared Apprenticeship Service. It was certainly the right decision for Anthony. We are all so proud of him and he is a living example of how the Calico Group works together to make a difference to people’s lives.”
Chris Goss, New Build Site Manager at Ring Stones, says, “I personally can’t say enough good things about Antony, and it has been a privilege to see him progress over the years.”
Interested in an apprenticeship with Constructing the Future? Get more details here.
