National Apprenticeship Week 2023 with Alex O'Shea

On the occasion of National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the diversity of opportunities that apprenticeships in construction bring.

Check out our new apprenticeship opportunities and apply today.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is #SkillsForLife. Throughout the week we will reflect on how apprenticeships can support individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to grow a talented workforce, equipped with skills for the future.

Alex O’Shea has been with Sir Robert McAlpine for 3 years, working as an Apprentice Estimator in our Southern Region. Although he largely works in pre-construction from Woking, he is also involved with value engineering on site at One Station Hill in Reading.

I am really happy with how my career is progressing at Sir Robert McAlpine. I thoroughly enjoy working in pre-construction as a construction finance estimator and would like to continue working on developing my skills and knowledge in the commercial field. I’m looking forward to my next 3 years of studying which Sir Robert McAlpine is supporting.
Alex O'Shea Apprentice Estimator

Alex enjoys the variety of his role as “no two days are the same”. He feels he is learning something new each day and progressing his abilities. He also enjoys getting involved in our exciting landmark projects.

Strong family values, professionalism and excellence are just a few of the #SkillsForLife Alex has developed during his apprenticeship.

He initially chose to work within the construction industry as he wanted to work in a sector that makes a positive and recognisable impression on society.

“I felt that an apprenticeship in construction would enable me to both learn and explore my future career whilst allowing me to get stuck in with work and gain hands on invaluable experience.”

Alex has many career highlights including the first major project that he worked on when he started with us back in 2020: “Having access to the design information and being part of a great team was so fresh and exciting and still is to this day”.

Alex was also awarded, ‘The Best Student In Construction, Property & Surveying 2022’ by the McGrath charitable foundation trust in 2022.

I’d 100% recommend an apprenticeship at Sir Robert McAlpine as an industry leader for construction in the UK. Working within a renowned yet family orientated company, you have the opportunity to learn about construction at its finest whilst working on some exciting projects.
Alex O'Shea Apprentice Estimator

So what’s next for Alex? Over the next five years, he’s aspiring to complete his BSc In Commercial Management to enable him to tackle more major tenders!

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

NAW: Apprentices at Agratas
13 Feb 2026

Administration Apprentice, Maisie Woods, a resident of Bridgwater, is amongst the ten apprentices employed by Sir Robert McAlpine currently working at Agratas

Read more about
NAW 2026: Dave Hall
10 Feb 2026

Dave Hall, Lifting Manager at Sellafield, shares his apprenticeship journey after recently completing the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship with the Institute for Leadership and Management.

Read more about
NAW 2026: Emelie Dillane & Victoria Inglis
09 Feb 2026

We kick off this year's National Apprenticeship week with an insight into the role of our Apprentice Sustainability Managers

Read more about

Emerging talent at Sir Robert McAlpine

Apprenticeships

We offer a range of apprenticeship opportunities - combining practical experience on landmark projects with learning delivered through education providers at a local level.

Read more about
Graduate opportunities

Join us as a graduate to start your career on an industry-leading, structured development programme.

Read more about
Placements & Student Sponsorship

Discover the perfect environment to develop new skills and experience, and build on the theory you are learning.

Read more about

Latest news

Celebrating International Women's Day with Anjana Raj
09 Mar 2026

Anjana Raj, Company Social Value Manager, details the benefit of social value to the industry, and how she’s leading the charge to bring about the next generation of construction professionals

Read more about
Supporting International Women's Day
08 Mar 2026

We celebrate the role women continue to play in shaping the future of the industry on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Read more about
IHP secures place on Hospital 2.0 Alliance
02 Mar 2026

The healthcare joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine is among 10 construction partners appointed by the New Hospital Programme

Read more about