City Building, 350 Darnick Street, Glasgow G21 4BA
 
+44 (0) 141 287 2200
  • Customer Service
City Building GlasgowCity Building Glasgow
  • About
  • Services
    • Electrical Services
    • Repairs & Maintenance
    • Construction & Design
    • Manufacturing
    • Gas Services
    • Training
    • Renewable Technology
  • RSBi Products
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • Procurement
  • Careers & Training
  • Contact

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024: Brother and sister duo share apprenticeship journeys with City Building

Posted On March 11, 2024 By Olivia.Hazelton In News /  9

As Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 draws to a close, brother and sister duo Johnathan and Caitlyn Beaton are sharing their apprenticeship journeys with leading Glasgow based construction firm, City Building.

City Building, known for operating one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship programme, recently welcomed 55 new apprentices in late 2023, reinforcing its reputation for attracting and retaining top construction talent through its award-winning scheme.

The siblings, hailing from the Pollokshaws area of Glasgow, have embarked on two very different career journeys with City Building, with older sister Caitlyn now training as a Building Management Systems Engineer and younger brother Johnathan currently undertaking his first year as a plumbing apprentice.

Caitlin, 21, joined City Building in 2019 as an apprentice electrician. On her decision to undertake an apprenticeship with City Building, she said: “An apprenticeship was not actually my initial career choice once I left school – I went to university to study primary teaching. I’ve always been a practical person – I want to go out and learn by doing rather than someone lecturing to me. So, the more theory-based learning style at university didn’t gel with me.

“I had completed a week’s work experience with City Building at school and really enjoyed the hands-on environment. I was a little concerned about being the only girl in my trade, but I was surprised to find that wasn’t the case. It’s much more diverse here than you would think.

“There is lots of support for young women in the apprenticeship programme, like dedicated training officers you can speak to if anything does make you feel uncomfortable. All apprentices also go through training about equality and diversity as part of their course. I’ve always had a great experience.”

Following the completion of her apprenticeship, Caitlyn has gone on to further train in Building Management Systems, a division tasked with increasing the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings.

This work is part of a wider focus on upskilling the next generation of tradespeople on the green skills needed to thrive in a net-zero future. This includes training incoming apprentices on the installation and maintenance of EV charging points and air-source heat pumps at the firms custom built training college.

On the importance of green skills, Caitlyn said: “A big part of my training has focused on green skills – in my current role, everything is focused around reducing energy consumption and making sure our sites are as efficient as possible.

“As an apprentice, I was also part of the carbon working group, learning firsthand how the construction trades are changing to become more sustainable. It is a big focus for us and we are supported by City Building to upskill ourselves and stay on the cutting edge of this movement.”

Joining Caitlyn in the 2023/24 cohort of apprentices is younger brother, Johnathan, 16. On welcoming her brother into the firm, Caitlyn said: “I think I was more nervous for Johnathan to join City Building than he was – I still see him as a baby in my eyes. But he’s really enjoyed his apprenticeship so far and has settled right in.

“I think being able to share my experiences first hand with him influenced his decision to join – my only advice to him was to take everything in his stride and have fun. You get to try out different trades and meet so many lovely people during your apprenticeship.”

Johnathan, currently completing his first year as a City Building plumbing apprentice, reflected on his application process, highlighting: “The application process was really simple – I’d also completed some work experience with City Building while at school after seeing how much my older sister enjoyed her work, so I knew what people around the training college were like.

“After the initial application, I was tasked with completing some basic maths and literacy tests before sitting down with some of the trainers for an interview. I think this was the part I was most nervous for, but it’s just to get a look at your personality and see how you can chat away with people.”

Currently preparing to enter his second year with the firm, Johnathan has praised City Buildings invigorating learning environment. He said: “I’ve learned how to problem solve and handle workplace pressure during my apprenticeship – two transferable skills that I will probably use for the rest of my life. I’ve also got a lot of experience working out at maintenance sites – you get to meet people from all walks of life when out to do maintenance repairs – no two days are the same, which suits someone like me perfectly!”.

“The training college is unreal – I can’t think of anywhere else where you get to learn a trade like this. It’s brand new and has everything you need to learn across the board. I would say it’s probably the best place to go if you want to get into the trades.”

City Building demonstrates commitment to community with £30k donation to Scottish charities
Female plumbing instructor aims to encourage more women to learn a trade

Olivia.Hazelton

All articles by: Olivia.Hazelton

Categories

  • Awards
  • Community Engagement
  • News
  • Videos

Latest news

  • City Building apprentices launch fundraiser as 2025 applications opens April 14, 2025
  • City Building Supports Over Fifty Charities Across Glasgow April 1, 2025
  • City Building apprentices score with renovations at FAREPLay Stepford – Home to Easterhouse Football Academy February 6, 2025
  • Glasgow construction supervisor documents cancer diagnosis as part of awareness campaign November 20, 2024
  • Congratulatory Motion Lodged At Scottish Parliament By Annie Wells MSP November 14, 2024

Archives

Our Awards

2024
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Natural Stone Awards 2024
  • ARCA Diamond Award - Decade of Excellence
  • The Trades House of Glasgow Prestigious Apprentice Award 2024

2023
  • Platinum Award for Continuous Achievement - ARCA Gold Site Audit Award
  • Customer Service Excellence

2022
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Best Diversity and Inclusion Dynamic in the Workplace - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Best Apprenticeship and Graduate Programme - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Commendation for Best Training and Skills Development Programme - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Investor in Young People (IYP) - Platinum Accreditation
  • Heating Contractor of the Year - ASCP UK Awards

2021
  • The Queen's Award for Enterprise: Promoting Opportunity 2021
  • Gas Contractor of the Year - ASCP UK Awards

2020
  • National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Health and Safety Awards 2020 - Gold Award
  • Screwfix Apprentice of the Year - Chris Keel

2019
  • Lady McDonald Recognition Award - Plasterer Apprentice of the Year - Brian Wilson
  • Ministry of Defence ERS Scheme Gold Award
  • HR Network National Awards Diversity and Inclusion Company of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards Organisational Development Award of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards CEO of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards Outstanding Contribution to Scottish HR
  • UK Construction Industry Apprenticeship Initiative of the Year
  • UK Construction Industry Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
  • Ministry of Defence Gold Award for defence friendly employers
  • Customer Service Excellence Award
  • The Inspire Awards – Most Inspiring UK Employer
  • UK Gas Contractor of the Year – ASCP UK Awards
  • UK Best Initiative to Combat Fuel Poverty – ASCP UK Awards, joint winner with our colleagues from Wheatley Group

2018
  • Queens Award for Enterprise - Sustainable Development
  • World skills UK Apprentice Decorator of the year - Aiden Dearie
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Best Healthy and Active workplace
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Best Company for Sustainable Development
  • Glasgow Guarantee Construction Apprentice of the Year - Jack Henning
  • Glasgow Guarantee Challenge Recognition Award - Connor Hamilton
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • ARCA (Asbestos removal contractors association) - Gold
  • Investors in young people - Gold

2017
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Green Champions The Environmental Team - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Fairer Employer - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Apprentice Challenge Jon McGrattan - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Best Apprentice in Construction - Phoebe Ali - Winner
  • Herald - GenAnalytics Diversity - Recruitment of Talents - Winner
  • Herald - GenAnalytics Diversity -Youth Employment - Winner
  • HR NATIONAL Network - Best Employer/Workplace - Winner
  • HR NATIONAL Network - Corporate Responsibility - Winner
  • Johnstone's Trade - UK Young Decorator of the Year Lisa Murphy - Winner
  • EFQM Recognised for Excellence 4 stars Award
  • SkillBuild Scotland Painting and Decorating Senior Aiden Dearie - Winner

2014
  • Business Apprenticeship Construction Award

2013
  • Apprentice Sean McCulloch - Regional SkillBuild Award

2012
  • The Queens Award for Enterprise:Sustainable Development 2012
  • Glasgow Business Awards 2012 Equality and Diversity Winner
  • Winner of CAI Construction Apprentice of the Year
  • Winner of CAI Challenge Award

2011
  • Vibes Award
  • Scottish Business Award for Corporate Responsibility

2010
  • Johnston Leyland Young Decorator of the Year
  • Trades House Apprentice of the Year
  • LGC Award for Equalities and Diversity

2009
  • James Birnie Craft Excellence Apprentice of the Year
  • Glasgow Business Diversity Award
  • Glasgow Flourish Award for Increasing Access to Lifelong Learning
  • GO Excellence in Procurement Corporate Social
  • Responsibility
  • Best Green Company

2008
  • Federation of Master Builders National Apprentice of the Year
  • STUC Helen Downie Award for Lifelong Learning
  • COSLA Securing a Workforce for the future

City Building

City Building is a highly successful and evolving business which has a proven track record of strategic delivery within the commercial marketplace.

Latest news

  • City Building apprentices launch fundraiser as 2025 applications opens April 14, 2025
  • City Building Supports Over Fifty Charities Across Glasgow April 1, 2025
  • City Building apprentices score with renovations at FAREPLay Stepford – Home to Easterhouse Football Academy February 6, 2025

Contact:

  • City Building, 350 Darnick Street,
    Glasgow G21 4BA
  • +44 (0) 141 287 2200
  • +44 (0) 141 287 7100
  • Marketing@cbglasgow.co.uk
© City Building 2021
Website build by BIG PARTNERSHIP
  • FoISA
  • Policies & Plans
  • Reserved Contracts
  • Joint Venture
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy