Dan Brown’s journey into bricklaying began with inspiration from his older brother, James, who had been through the apprenticeship programme at GSQ Brickwork Ltd. After hearing about James’ positive experiences and the valuable skills he was gaining, Dan knew bricklaying was the right fit for him. Dan says. “It just seemed like a natural step to follow in his footsteps.”
Working on a number of our developments, Dan’s day typically starts early.
"We get into the drying room around 7:30, get ready for the day, and then we're out on the scaffold by 7:55 for an 8 am start," he explains. "I work alongside experienced bricklayers and my assigned mentor to make sure the work is top quality and done at a good pace. I’m still learning, so I’m not as quick as they are, but the other guys are always there to teach me as I go along. It’s a really good learning experience."
One of the standout aspects of Dan’s apprenticeship is the accelerated training programme that combines both classroom learning and on-the-job experience.
We spent the first five weeks at the NHBC hub in Cambridge learning the basics, literally from the ground up,” Dan explains. “It was intense, but really valuable. After that, we go to site with a mentor for 7-8 weeks. Then we come back to the hub for another two weeks, and this cycle continues for about 13-14 months.”
For Dan, this structure offers a perfect blend of theory and practical experience. “We don’t cut any corners in what we learn. It’s an immersive experience where we really live it the whole time,” he says.
Though Dan is only a few months into his apprenticeship, he’s already excited about the journey ahead. “I’m looking forward to the rest of my apprenticeship and learning journey,” he says. “There’s so much to learn, and every day I’m getting better.”