Case Study

Alfie’s Scaffolding Apprenticeship Journey Straight From School

At just 16, Alfie began his scaffolding career straight from school with KW Scaffolding and is now thriving on a SIMIAN apprenticeship. From braving bad weather to building confidence on-site, Alfie shares how hands-on training and expert support helped turn a challenging start into a rewarding journey.

At just 16 years old, Alfie made the bold decision to begin his career straight from school. He joined KW Scaffolding as a labourer, eager to get hands-on experience and start earning while learning. It didn’t take long for his enthusiasm to shine through, and he soon progressed onto a SIMIAN scaffolding apprenticeship, a move that’s already setting him up for long-term success.

Like many new starters, Alfie faced challenges at the beginning of his Scaffolding Apprenticeship. Starting a physical role in the middle of unpredictable British weather wasn’t easy. “When I first started, I didn’t enjoy it, I thought it would just be a week because the weather was awful. But I got used to it, and now I enjoy it.”

Now several months into his apprenticeship, Alfie has found his rhythm. The combination of on-site work and structured training at SIMIAN is helping him build not only practical skills, but also a strong understanding of industry standards, safety practices and technical knowledge.

“Everything I’m taught in centre, I take on site. The training helps me get faster and understand the technical reasons behind how things are done.”

At SIMIAN, we pride ourselves on delivering training that’s relevant, engaging and grounded in real-life site conditions. Our instructors bring first-hand experience to every session, helping young people like Alfie feel confident and competent from day one.

When asked about his overall experience, Alfie’s recommendation is clear:

“Yes, I would definitely recommend SIMIAN. The instructors are very knowledgeable, and you’re treated like a scaffolder from the start, not like a child as you are in school. You get a lot more freedom and independence.”

Alfie’s story is a fantastic example of how apprenticeships can offer young people a head start, not just in scaffolding, but in life. At SIMIAN, we’re proud to support apprentices like Alfie who are building strong and secure careers.

For more information about apprenticeship programmes, click here.