In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (9 – 15 February), Balfour Beatty featured on LBC and in Rail magazine, highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and the opportunities available across the construction and infrastructure sector.

Balfour Beatty’s Civil Engineering Apprentice, Mustafa Rashid, featured on LBC discussing his apprenticeship journey and the experiences shaping his career so far. He highlighted the value of learning through active involvement in real projects and shared how gaining hands-on experience has opened up new opportunities for his development. Giving advice to other young people considering apprenticeships, Mustafa said: “get online and get applying because you’re not going to look back on it 100%, that’s my promise.”

Early Careers Development Partner, Alison Taylor, also spoke to LBC, outlining the breadth of opportunities available for early careers professionals at Balfour Beatty. Alison highlighted the support structures and development pathways that help apprentices and graduates build long term careers within the business. Reflecting on the value apprentices bring to Balfour Beatty, Alison said: “they’re important to us, it fills the skills gap and they’re incredibly talented people that come into our business… some of them have become Managing Directors in our business or taken on Director roles.”

Rail magazine also spoke with Stuart Fraser, Senior Training Manager at Balfour Beatty Rail Plant, who began his career as a British Rail engineering apprentice before joining the business. Stuart reflected on the practical experience and support that shaped his early development and the role apprenticeships continue to play in building capability across rail plant. Speaking about his first experiences on the tools, he said, “When you are 17 and you are helping lift out a Rolls Royce six cylinder engine, that is a wow moment.” He also reflected on the importance of mentorship throughout his career, adding, “I was lucky to be surrounded by excellent mentors and peers who wanted to nurture and support and pass on their knowledge. That support is one of the reasons I am still here today and why I believe apprenticeships remain so important for our industry.”

To listen to the LBC interview, click here and forward to 00:33:50. Or read the Rail Magazine article in full.

Image: Mustafa Rashid and Alison Taylor being interviewed