Employee Stories

Lucy Fennell

Apprentice Quantity Surveyor

Following my GCSEs, I attended New College Pontefract to complete my A-Levels in Law, Business, and English. During my last six months in College, I attended Apprenticeship fairs to look for career opportunities, and that was where I learned about CML’s Open Day and their Apprenticeship programme.

My A-Levels prepared me for my Degree Apprenticeship because it taught me to meet deadlines, revise and create useful resources from my lessons and receive feedback on my work.

Whilst working at CML I have completed three-month secondments in the Estimating and Procurement departments, and have started my six-month secondment in Quantity Surveying.

During my time in the Estimating department, I learned about Take-offs, First Principle Estimates, and Bills of Quantities.

I added to my knowledge during my time in the Procurement department by learning about the process for instructing Suppliers and Subcontractors, the various buying forms, and reporting methods.

In my first six months I have started to gain an understanding of the contribution each department makes to the business.

Since I started at CML in September, I have attended Leeds College of Building to complete my Level 4 in Quantity Surveying before progressing to degree level.

This has developed my skills in Assignments, as I have completed Unit 2 in Construction Technology and Unit 4 in Construction Management, and meeting deadlines.

In addition, working at CML means you have continuous professional development by attending regular meetings and site visits, creating reports following your secondments, and receiving additional training including Personal Track Safety (PTS) and Presentations.

Archie Heckingbottom

Apprentice Civil Engineer

Before joining CML I was doing a full-time university course in Civil Engineering at Leeds Beckett, however after just under a year I felt as though it wasn’t for me. It felt like I was learning solely for passing exams and then forgetting it while I focused on the next exam.

After realising this I left university and started working as a Labourer on construction sites while trying to find a company willing to put me though a degree apprenticeship. My research lead me to CML’s apprenticeship open day event. After attending this I knew that an apprenticeship was the right choice for my future.

Since starting at CML I’ve completed a 3-month secondment in health and safety. During this time, I’ve gained knowledge of industry legislation, and how to process incidents and close calls.

I also carried out site inspections, which gave me a greater understanding of health and safety and why measures are necessary on site to make sure everyone gets home safe every day.

This gave me a better understanding of the work that goes on behind the scenes like making sure all policies are up to date and being adhered to, and I am looking forward to the start of my second secondment in the compliance department.

I’m currently doing a bridging course at Leeds College of Building before starting a level 4 in civil engineering. As I took 2 years out of education prior to joining CML, it’s allowing me to get a better understanding of assignment writing and referencing and will help make the transition onto the level 4 course much smoother.

Callum Ramsden

Apprentice Civil Engineer

I’ve always had a strong interest in construction from a young age.

In recent years, I have gained some valuable experience in helping out with the renovation of two houses, which involved a range of different planning, design and construction practices. As a result of this, I became aware that construction was the industry best suited for me and began researching into the industry and the various career paths available.

I stumbled across Civil Engineering and was intrigued with the versatility and scope of work accessible within the sector.

Whilst studying for my A-levels, I began applying for apprenticeships and engaging in opening days/activities in which I was fortunate enough to be invited to a CML open day event. The open day was unique in comparison to other companies, displaying a supportive working environment and highlighting career development as their main priority.

After submitting my application and progressing through the interview stage, I started at CML in September 2022 on the degree level civil engineering apprenticeship programme.

When I first came to CML, I was placed in the Supply Chain Management Team for my initial three month rotation, and I was able to obtain a range of new skills by learning from the experienced individuals around me. I have recently moved into the Estimating department and I have acquired some experience of tendering.

I am currently based in the Leeds head office four days a week and attend Leeds College of Building once a week. I believe my time spent in work and college is well balanced and is developing my career in civil engineering in the right direction. I am gaining great work experience alongside completing my level 4 qualification in Civil Engineering, allowing me to progress my career within the construction industry.

I have completed one module so far: Construction Practice and Management, which I was able to achieve a distinction in my assignment. My other modules such as Construction Technology, Construction Information and Mathematics in Construction are due for submission by the end of April, in which I have received positive feedback for my work so far and am hoping to achieve merit and distinctions in these assignments also.

My aim is to become a qualified Civil Engineer with good experience, capable of managing and running my own projects successfully, whilst having a positive impact on the construction/rail industry.

Mark Roper

Senior Business Advisor

I am a Civil Engineer with over 40 years’ experience, and have worked for Client organisations, Consulting Engineers & a Trade Association, but I am a Contractor at heart.

My role at CML is very varied, and I have some form of involvement in virtually every department in the business.

So, on any given day I could be working with our group of Apprentices, helping & guiding them through their development;

I could be writing policies & procedures for the company and setting targets and action plans for their implementation;

Assisting the Pre-Construction Team in the preparation of pre-qualification & Tender documents; and,

Working with the Content Marketing Manager to ensure that we share our good news stories and lessons learned internally through our Insight online intranet portal, and also externally through traditional & social media outlets.

I might be out representing CML in Client meetings and seminars, or at schools, college and universities promoting construction as a career for everyone. I might also be working with our Training & Development Team analysing our current needs, or looking at what additional skills we will need to meet our business plan in the future.

Throughout my career I have worked for every kind of employer, from large international businesses to micro-sized companies, but I am most at home at CML, a family business where our company values matter, and we all strive to meet them.

Stuart Hale

Contracts Manager

I started my journey with CML over 20 years ago as a Commercial Diver. I have grown with the company and seen many exciting projects over the years as the business has experienced substantial growth and diversified its work bank.

My role at CML is within the Operations Department as a Contracts Manager based in the South West, managing the delivery of planned project works, building client relations and taking an active role in tendering opportunities.

So on any given day I could be working with my Project Managers & Site Managers, reviewing programmes, methodology, labour requirements along with identifying on site risks & hazards and possibilities where schemes can be value engineered.

I could be writing a technical methodology to support a tender submission, developing programmes and work plans detailing resource/plant requirements after visiting the site to understand the safest, most cost-efficient way to construct the works, both for CML and our clients Client.

Visiting live sites to engage with operatives undertaking the works, guiding, advising and listening where required.

Working closely with the commercial department to ensure costs & budgets are controlled ensuring that deviations from planned works are captured and recorded correctly.

I may represent CML in Client meetings, Stakeholder meetings, Landowner negotiations, ensuring that a professional approach is always adopted in line with our company values.

I might also be working with our Training & Recruitment Departments analysing our current needs, or looking at what additional skills or staff we will need to service our work bank.

Working for CML is a big part of my life, the job satisfaction and contentment gained from being involved in complex engineering projects, on any level, is the rewarding factor and motivational force for me!