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    Sector Awareness – A week of work experience at Sharples Davies

    At Sharples Davies, we believe in nurturing talent and providing valuable learning experiences. This week, we had the pleasure of hosting Will, a work experience student. At the start of the week, Brogan, our Marketing executive, asked Will a couple of questions to gauge his initial knowledge about the building materials sector. Here were his responses:

    Initial Questions & Answers:

    Brogan: What’s the difference between a builder’s merchant & a DIY/Home Improvement retailer?

    Will: You pay for a builder at a builder’s merchant. Don’t know what a DIY retailer is.

    Brogan: What types of jobs are there in the building materials sector?

    Will: Bricklaying – Tiling – Plumbing

    Throughout the week, Will visited Builders Merchants, DIY retailers, and worked closely with our team in the office. We saw a significant transformation in his understanding and appreciation of the industry. On his last day, Brogan revisited the same questions and ask a few about his experience to see how much Will had learned.

    Reflections After a Week:

    Brogan: What have you learnt whilst being here on your work experience?

    Will: I have learnt key skills like using Canva to make marketing pieces. Also, I have learnt to be time-efficient and put company names and numbers into a table in Excel. Another thing is I learnt how different materials are made and constructed to build different structures and all the effort that goes into building houses.

    Brogan: What were the highlights of your work experience with us?

    Will: I enjoyed the trips to the two construction places. It was cool learning about the different materials and how they are used every day.

    Brogan: What types of jobs are there in the building materials sector now that you’ve experienced a week here?

    Will: Bricklaying – Tiling – Plumbing – Electrician – Builder – Sales

    Brogan: What are the main types of materials used in construction?

    Will: Ply – Timber – Steel – Metal – Brick – Cement – Drywall – Tiles

    Brogan: Has being here influenced your career goals? Are there any specific careers within the building materials sector that interest you?

    Will: Bricklaying because you get paid per brick and the people at the construction place said his friend makes a lot of money. Apprenticeships at housebuilders are available every year.

    Brogan: What skills or knowledge do you think are essential for a career in this industry?

    Will: Hard work – Learning everything there is to know about the materials you use so you can help a customer to the fullest – Social skills – Teamwork

    Brogan: Finally, what’s the difference between a builder’s merchant & DIY/Home Improvement retailer now?

    Will: A Builders Merchant is where someone you pay to come and renovate your house buys materials, but a DIY retailer is where you buy the materials yourself to improve your own home.

    Will’s journey over this week highlights the value of hands-on experience in understanding the intricacies of the building materials sector. It’s been a pleasure to see his growth and enthusiasm for the industry. We hope this experience has inspired him and given him a clearer vision of the various career paths available.

    At Sharples Davies, we are committed to fostering the next generation of talent in our industry. Will’s progress is a testament to the importance of practical experience and dedicated mentorship. We look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next!