Morgan Sindall's Ashley Eavis Shortlisted for The Steve Burne Apprentice Of The Year Award

Morgan Sindall's Ashley Eavis has been shortlisted for Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce's upcoming award ceremony, 'The Steve Burne Apprentice Of The Year'.

At 21 years old, Ashley is making strides in the construction industry. Currently pursuing a degree apprenticeship in Construction Management with Morgan Sindall via the University of Salford, his journey began through the PlanBEE Manchester higher apprenticeship scheme. As we celebrate National Careers Week, Ashley shares his experiences in his own words—an inspiring testament to the opportunities and pathways available in construction.

Q&A with Ashley

Why did you choose an apprenticeship over university?

Coming out of sixth form, I always wanted to move to a big city but never wanted to go down the university route. I had offers from three universities to study economics, but I preferred an apprenticeship in construction over finance. Manchester stood out because of the growth happening in the city.

What drew you to the PlanBEE programme?

I interviewed with a few companies for site management roles but chose PlanBEE because of the broad experience it offers. I wasn’t sure what specific role I wanted in construction, so being able to rotate through the industry with top companies seemed like the best way to gain experience and connections.

What projects have you worked on?

As part of the PlanBEE course, I completed six four-month work placements with various companies in the built environment sector across Manchester, including structural surveyors, architects, main contractors, and Manchester City Council. One of these placements was with Morgan Sindall, where I have since been taken on as a degree apprentice.

So far, I’ve contributed to three Morgan Sindall projects:

• New House Academy, Heywood – during my PlanBEE placement
• Newcastle-under-Lyme Multi-Storey Car Park – after joining as a degree apprentice; this project has recently handed over
• STAR Academy, Radcliffe – my latest role which is just beginning onsite.

Being involved in projects at different stages of construction has been a valuable learning experience, giving me insight into the full project lifecycle.

How has your role developed over time?

Although I had completed a work placement with Morgan Sindall, starting my degree apprenticeship on the NUL car park project was a big step up. I was given more responsibility, including overseeing key packages like roofing and working closely with subcontractors to solve onsite challenges. At first, supervising experienced subcontractors felt daunting, but my confidence has grown massively. I've been fortunate to work with a supportive team, always on hand to offer guidance and mentoring, which has made a huge difference in my development.

How do you balance work and studying?

I’m preparing for my End Point Assessment (EPA) with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). It’s a lot to manage, but I use quieter times to gather evidence, study, and prepare. I’ve completed modules like Construction Process Management (where I got a First) and Construction Technology (achieved a 2:1), so I feel confident in my progress.

What challenges have you overcome?

Moving from Dorset to Manchester at 18 was a big step, but I wanted to embrace life in a new city. The PlanBEE course pushed me out of my comfort zone, constantly challenging me. With a new job every four months, I had to adapt quickly, take on fresh challenges, and build relationships with new teams. I found the best thing to do was to just throw myself into it and go into each new role with enthusiasm.

What does this apprenticeship mean to you?

My confidence has grown so much, and I love finding practical solutions to challenges. The experience and connections I’ve gained have set me up to succeed in the industry. The icing on the cake recently was being shortlisted for the Steve Burne Apprentice of the Year Award – this is a huge honour, and I’m really grateful even to be considered.