A P P R E N T I C E S H I P S AT T H E B E R K E L E Y G RO U P TIMES WERE TOUGH FOR BROTHERS RILWAN AND RAFIU GIWA. TAKING APPRENTICESHIPS IN PAINTING AND DECORATING HAS SET THEM ON NEW CAREERS Rilwan, 28 (below, right): “I was working in the restaurant business but it wasn’t going the way I wanted. When the pandemic came, there was no work. It was hard.” Rafiu, 21: “I studied car mechanics at college but I didn’t like being in a classroom and didn’t get on with the teacher. So I stopped going. I was just sitting at home. It was not good.” Rilwan: “We both went to a talk by Street Elite in a youth club. They explained they may be able to help us get an apprenticeship at Berkeley or St Edward.” Rafiu: “Rilwan had studied painting and decorating years before in college. It sounded good.” Rilwan: “So doing the apprenticeship just felt like a natural step.”
OUR JOURNEYS
Rafiu: “It’s a much better way of learning for me. If there’s something you are not sure about, you just ask. Plus, we get Fridays off to study.” Rilwan: “Even though I had already studied painting and decorating at college, I am learning new skills and improving the skills I have all the time.”
BEING AN APPRENTICE
An apprenticeship is a really good way to learn new skills and work at the same time Rafiu: “It’s great for training, getting skills and for my prospects. I much prefer it to being in a classroom.” Rilwan: “And you learn a lot more when you are doing it on the job – it’s hands on.”
WHAT WE LOVE
The breakdown... Duration Two to three years to gain Level 2 or 3 in Painting and Decorating Salary range: Annual salary of £17,000 to £32,000, depending on experience My colleagues Rilwan: “My workmates are always really happy to help, offer tips and advice.” Career prospects Rafiu: “You can go anywhere if you work hard and an apprenticeship is a great way to do it. It gives you the skills you need.”
Find out more about apprenticeship apprenticeshipsacross acrossthe theBerkeley BerkeleyGroup Groupatat www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/about-us/careers/apprenticeships-at-berkeley-group Find out more about apprenticeship across the Berkeley Group at