Bricklayer - Shameen Azmutally

Shameen Azmutally,
Aged 24

Qualification
NVQ Level 2 in trowel occupations.

What encouraged you to join the construction industry?
I went to university, but I wanted to do something different. I love being outside and hands on in my work. My parents encouraged me to take my A levels and then go on to university, but I just didn't want an office job, I really wasn't enjoying it. So I found the bconstructive website and applied for an apprenticeship! It all happened really quickly and now I'm working outside, keeping fit and really enjoying it!

Good bits about your job?
It's great being outside - especially at the moment I'm enjoying all the sunshine - but if it's raining you get sent home, so you never have to work in terrible conditions. Another thing is that you start early and you finish early, so you have your evenings to yourself. It keeps me really fit and once you reach a certain standard it's a skill you'll have for life - no one can take that away from you.

What advice would you give about getting into bricklaying?
Go for it, what other jobs do you know that keep you fit, where you get to work outside, it's highly skilled and creative! There will always be jobs in construction too!

What does the future hold for you?
I've been in discussions with my employer about qualifying as a Quantity Surveyor, which I think would be interesting, but I want to gain some site experience first. There are other management opportunities, they're crying out for site managers with practical knowledge of the job or I could go into contracts management.

There are so many options within the Construction Industry and they will always need new people coming through. But I think that wherever I go in the future my site experience will definitely help!