At SBCSG, we are committed to helping our member companies offer young people real-world opportunities to develop their skills and experience in construction. James Llewelyn, an 18-year-old apprentice at Andrew Scott, is currently putting this into practice on the Waterfalls Country Visitor Centre project in Pontneddfechan, gaining hands-on knowledge across a variety of site tasks.
James first became interested in a career in construction while searching for an apprenticeship. “I was looking for an apprenticeship, and my uncle and aunt, who work with Cyfle, suggested I try the apprenticeship scheme,” he explains. From his first day on site, he has been encouraged to ask questions and engage fully with the team, helping him quickly build his understanding of the industry.
Andrew Scott is among Wales’s longest standing and most respected independent construction companies. With more than 150 years of experience, the company has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality civil engineering and construction services to clients across both the public and private sectors.
On site, James’s responsibilities are varied, combining technical work with exposure to project management processes. “Some of my tasks include checking and certifying subcontractor payments, sending enquiries to subcontractors, completing comparisons, attending pre-let meetings, and measuring on Bluebeam,” he says. He enjoys the variety of his work and how things are always moving and changing on site: “Every day is different, the project is changing daily, and it’s great to see the progress being made on site.”
Support and mentorship from Andrew Scott have been central to James’s learning. Working closely with Senior QS Sam Lewis, James is guided through tasks, learning the reasoning behind each step before completing them himself. “Sam sets me tasks and explains things thoroughly to make sure I understand the work,” he notes. James also highlights the value of learning to use tools like Bluebeam to enhance his skills.
James has already seen how his work can make a real difference on the project. “I measured the tarmac on the project using Bluebeam,” he explains. “These measurements were sent to subcontractors to provide quotations. The quotes were then compared, and an order was placed with a subcontractor based on my measures.” This responsibility has helped James feel trusted and valued, reinforcing his confidence and sense of contribution.
He also reflects on the role younger generations play in construction: “Every business needs younger people coming through, as the more experienced members of staff are getting closer to retirement. The younger generation also bring more IT skills, which can be passed on to older colleagues.” James feels that the confidence and responsibilities he is given are a clear sign that Andrew Scott wants him to progress and develop within the company.
Though only in his fifth week, James is already thinking about his future in construction. “I’m gaining valuable experience and over the next few months I will set short, medium, and long-term goals with Sam,” he says. He encourages other young people to consider the construction industry: “I’d highly recommend it. Every day is different, which is great for learning and developing, and it can be a very rewarding career.”
At SBCSG, we are proud to support companies like Andrew Scott in providing apprenticeships and work placements that give young people practical, on-site experience and a clear route into the construction industry. Through hands-on tasks, mentorship, and structured guidance, apprentices like James gain both the technical skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to projects while feeling valued and supported in their development.