Hands-On Success: Ed Pullen’s Leap from Office Life to Bricklaying Apprentice
Ed’s career change is a story of deciding to follow his passion for working outdoors and with his hands. Before becoming an apprentice bricklayer, Ed worked as a product manager in an office, but he quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit for him.
“I was stuck behind a desk, and I really missed being outside,” he says. “I wanted a career where I could work with my hands, be outdoors, and still earn a decent living.”
Bricklaying stood out as the perfect fit. The physical nature of the work, along with the chance to develop new skills, made it an exciting challenge for Ed. “It was the right career for me. It’s got everything I was looking for—outdoor work, a challenge, and a chance to do something different every day,” he explains.
One of Ed’s most memorable moments during his apprenticeship came when his mentor gave him high praise for building a wall that was “spot on” on his very first attempt. “I was just starting out, and I didn’t expect to get it right on my first try,” he says. “But when my mentor said I did a great job, it was such a confidence boost. I still show people the pictures of that wall today.”
While the praise was a big moment for Ed, he quickly realised that bricklaying is much more than getting the basics right. “You can pick up the theory pretty quickly, but the real art of bricklaying takes time. It’s not just about putting bricks in place—it’s about getting the details right and making sure everything’s perfect. It’s a challenging craft, but that’s what makes it so rewarding,” he says.
Through his apprenticeship working across a number of our developments in Cambridge, Ed has also learned how to work with a diverse range of people, many of whom come from different walks of life. “It’s been an eye-opener, working with people from all kinds of backgrounds. I’ve had to earn my respect as a bricklayer, and that’s been a really important part of the experience,” Ed shares.
If Ed could give advice to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship, it would be simple:
“You’ve got to work hard and put in the effort. The more you apply yourself, the more you’ll get out of it. It’s a tough journey, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s worth it.”
Ed’s journey is a great example of how following your passion and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to a fulfilling career. From his first brick wall to his plans for the future, he’s building a successful path in the bricklaying world, one brick at a time.