News

It’s Apprenticeship Week – 6th February to 12th February, below is an update from our apprentices

Greg Pirie – Aberdeen Branch – studying BUFR Apprenticeship course at NCC Glasgow
“my apprenticeship is going well, I’m due to finish second year at the end of February 2023. I feel I’m picking up the trade at a reasonable pace”

Harvey Jones – Manchester Branch – studying Level 6 Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship course at Salford University
“I am an estimator/Quantity Surveyor Apprentice at Briggs Amasco and the apprenticeship is going very well so far. I am rapidly learning lots of new things about the construction industry and am looking forward to the future with Briggs Amasco”

Max Manuel – Leeds Branch – studying a Level 4 Site Supervisor Apprenticeship course at Leeds Construction College
“I am finding the apprenticeship very good as it is giving me more insight in the construction and roofing sector, in which BriggsAmasco Ltd gives me the vision and requirements for where I need to be in my successful career”

Karl Waddicor – Manchester Branch – studying a Level 2 Trailblazer Roofing Apprenticeship course with Simian Training Group
“I have now been Working for Briggs Amasco for 2 years, and I can honestly say it’s been the best choice I have ever made. My apprenticeship covers three different skills, involving Felt Membrane, Liquid coating, and Single Ply. I enjoy the felt side the most because I feel there is a lot to take in, and also looks adequately pleasing after the roof has been finished. Briggs Amasco has always given me a morale of support since I have started so in return, I continued to work hard for the company, which resulted in winning the apprentice of the year. This gave so much motivation in myself in which I continue to grow my skills and also the enjoyment of coming to work. My managers and supervisors continue to show support, and always give positive feedback in what I do on site as well as in college. After my apprenticeship ends, I will choose to make a successful career with Briggs Amasco”

Patrick Harvey – Leeds Branch – studying a Level 6 Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship course with Sheffield Hallam University
“I began my Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship in September 2022 and have learnt about many aspects of the construction industry. Within law we have covered topics such as contract terms, dispute resolution, professional liability and contract termination. We have also studied a wide range of Building Technology topics such as foundations, roofing and cladding etc. I have found that my learning at Sheffield Hallam University has helped with my day-to-day work at Briggs Amasco. Overall I am enjoying my experience and would highly recommend the apprenticeship scheme to anyone interested”

Paul Mulgrew – Glasgow Branch – studying a Mastic Asphalting Apprenticeship course with New City College London
“I think the apprenticeship has been very good so far. There’s a lot to learn and to take in but it’s very enjoyable. Briggs have been amazing with the time that’s needed to do the course and if there’s anything required i get it”

Aidan Gillbanks – Hull Branch – studying a Level 6 Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship course with Leeds Beckett University
“I’m currently studying a Level 6 Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship. Working alongside studying has allowed me to improve my industry knowledge whilst providing valuable experience that I would not have gained if I had gone to University full time. I have vastly improved my skills thanks to the support of my colleagues who are always available to help and who have made me feel like a valued member of the team. I have a further 2 years of my course to undertake and I know that the support is available in order to help make sure I am successful throughout the rest of my course and beyond”

Cameron Bruff – Glasgow Branch – studying a BUFR Apprenticeship course with National Construction College Inchinnan
“I find the college course very helpful towards the work I do with briggs. It’s good to mix with other apprentices and talk about what we are doing with our companies”

Jordan Short – Glasgow Branch – studying a BUFR Apprenticeship course with National Construction College Inchinnan
“I’m finding the apprenticeship great and the opportunities I have been given are brilliant. I appreciate everything the company has done for me and helped me achieve in my first year. I hope to thrive and continue to show the roofer i want be and hopefully give back to the company what they’ve given to me”

BriggsAmasco has been shortlisted in the category Liquid Roofing Project of the Year in a Buried Application for the project Retailer Distribution Centre in Swindon.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 22 March 2023 at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool’s Stanley Dock.

Gender Imbalance should be no barrier to Women making their mark in Construction

“Women account for a disappointingly small percentage of the UK construction workforce (circa 13%). But rather than seeing it as a barrier to joining the industry, women could perhaps use their poor representation as a positive. It means there’s plenty of opportunity for the right female candidate to make their mark on the industry and blaze a trail for others to follow.

I always knew I wanted to do something in construction. But for girls, working in the building sector wasn’t presented as a career option at school; it was always seen as a boy’s thing. So, subconsciously, I kind of got the message that it would be off limits to me.

I don’t have any doubts about the career path I’m taking in construction. I’d just like to keep moving up. I’m in my final year at Reading University and once I finish, I’ll be taking my Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Then I’d like to become a fully-qualified chartered surveyor before moving on to commercial management or something like that. So, I definitely want to stay within the construction sector.”

Learning curve fulfilled with on-site experience

“I’m in my final year at Reading University where I’m studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantity Surveying. A friend initially persuaded me to take up the course. I was one of only 10 women, out of 150 male students in my year, to enrol for the combined module in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management and Building Surveying. My studies were combined with a six-month work placement at BriggsAmasco. The assignment gave me valuable site experience. I was based at London’s Battersea Power Station where BriggsAmasco’s waterproofing teams were involved in the site’s redevelopment into one of the capital’s most desirable residential/commercial hubs.

Admittedly, finding myself in a huge, bustling, male-dominated construction environment was daunting at first. I wasn’t very confident ‘cause I was never sure that I was saying the right thing. It didn’t help that I encountered few other women on site. I saw one female construction manager at Battersea and quite a few of the architects were women. But apart from that…”

Nerves aside, I learnt so much by meeting and speaking to a lot of people from different trades during my Battersea work placement. The site experience itself was incredibly enjoyable.”

“Based on my experience, I’d advise any career-minded women stepping into a live building environment for the first time to have belief in themselves and just go for it. You can’t hold back. Battersea was a high-pressure job. But the longer I was there, the more responsibility I was given and the more I enjoyed the challenge. You have to have strength in your belief that as a woman, you bring as much value to the construction industry as a man does.

In total, I’ve been involved in 10 building projects as part of my BriggsAmasco work experience programme. The company’s culture of inclusivity and diversity across all levels of the business has definitely helped me make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given. Everybody within the company has been really supportive, giving me help when I need it. They’ve also given me a lot of responsibility, so I don’t feel like I’m being babysat.”

Early engagement key to addressing gender imbalance

“In terms of addressing the industry’s gender imbalance, I think earlier engagement is needed to give more women a start in construction. Building companies, for example, should attend more recruitment events in places such as schools where students will be focused on their career and what to make of it. Companies should be saying to male and female school leavers, ‘Come and work for us’ and impress upon students, particularly girls, that a career in construction is possible.”

“It’s certainly working for me.”

Hannah Lamming Trainee Quantity Surveyor

Pictured above Dave Maginnis, Lee Virgin & Tony Lawther.

Our London branch has moved from it’s location in Dagenham to Harold Wood, around 10 miles away with easy access from the A12 and A127 and just 1 minute walk from Harold Wood Elizabeth Line Station.

The new address is shown below, the telephone numbers have not changed:

Briggs Amasco Ltd
Amasco House
Station Road
Harold Wood
Romford
Essex
RM3 0BS

Tel: 020 8536 6630

BriggsAmasco has been selected as a finalist in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the Building Awards 2022

Winners will be announced on 01 November at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.