• Swindon & Wiltshire Education, training and skills
• Monday February 9 2026

Record-breaking number of apprentices appointed by construction firm

More than 30 apprentices have been hired by Swindon-headquartered construction firm Beard in its biggest apprentice intake to date.

The current cohort includes apprentices, degree apprentices and T-Level students.

Marking National Apprenticeship Week, the family-owned contractor says the early careers intake reflects its long-term commitment to developing future construction professionals through a range of learning pathways.

The 2025/26 cohort represents around eight per cent of Beard’s 360-strong workforce, a marked increase on the UK construction sector average of around five per cent.

Industry figures also show that only around 20 per cent of construction businesses employ an apprentice, and just 10 per cent employ more than one, highlighting the scale of Beard’s investment in skills development.

Beard currently has six apprentices in roles including quantity surveying, site management, and property maintenance, as well as credit control in the firm’s central office.

A further nine degree apprentices are working in Beard’s offices in Swindon, Bristol, Guildford and Oxford studying quantity surveying, design, and site management.

For the first time, 15 T-Level students are also being supported by the company, including 12 from Abingdon and Witney College, after Beard sponsored the entire Planning for Construction cohort for 2025/26.

Neil Sherreard, deputy chairman at Beard, said: “Supporting apprentices, trainees and students through different routes into construction is essential for the future of our business and the wider industry.

“By offering real responsibility, structured training and long-term career opportunities, we’re helping people build rewarding careers while strengthening our teams for the future.”

One of the firm’s apprentices is Caio Da Silva, who is completing part-time two-year HNC in Construction and the Built Environment Level 4 ,which began in August 2025, progressing to a three-year part-time Construction Management or Quantity Surveying degree.

As a trainee site manager, he is currently working on the redevelopment of Burgoyne House, Swindon, where he is gaining practical experience on all aspects of site and project management.

Caio (right) said: “Beard has been great in treating me like any other member of the team and giving me plenty of responsibility and support. I’ve been managing the scope of work for the parapet roofs on the project, which has seen me ensure all trades are lined-up and supply chain are working effectively, as well as managing timelines, budget and ensuring quality of delivery.

“This is a big responsibility, but I’m keen to learn and take on the challenge.”
Caio currently works four days on site and one doing online learning through the Learning Skills Partnership.

The apprenticeship hasn’t been Caio’s first experience at Beard; he completed his T-Level in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction with the firm whilst at Cirencester College last year.

“It was like a year-long interview,” Caio said. “And I knew I wanted to stay on with Beard once my T-Level completed. I kept in touch with the team and my persistence paid off.

“I’ve returned back to the Swindon office, working with many of the same colleagues, so I kept a good relationship with them and the Beard approach to working too.”

During his T-Level, which saw Caio spend three days a week at college and two on site, he worked on the Fraser Centre in Swindon, a new build project of four industrial units.

Jamie Harwood (left) Swindon and Health & Safety Director at Beard, said: “Caio’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn impressed the Swindon team during his T-level placement so we were delighted to welcome him back last August on a full-time contract to complete his apprenticeship.”

“I never knew I wanted to do this, I had originally thought about studying architecture at university, but it’s the best decision I could’ve made,” Caio added. “Construction will be my career now.”