One Year On: Josh’s Apprenticeship Journey
A year ago, Josh Ellis Joined Helix CMS as our first apprentice (read more here). Twelve months, three live sites, a Pagabo dashboard and one very confident toolbox talk later, he reflects on a transformative first year.
It’s been twelve months since Josh walked through our doors as Helix CMS’s first ever apprentice, having impressed us during his work experience placement enough to be offered the opportunity to officially join the team. A year on, and with his first set of apprenticeship exams now behind him, we sat down with Josh to find out how it’s all gone, in his own words.
Exams, Assignments, and a 5,000-Word Challenge
Josh’s first year has been bookended by academic milestones as much as on-site ones. In May 2026, he completed his Unit 1 and Unit 2 exams, covering construction design and materials – sat across three days. Now, he’s deep into his next challenge: a 5,000-word summative assignment on construction technology.
“Completing my first year and first lot of exams means a lot to me, as it has given me the opportunity to see what I am capable of – especially going into an industry that I have never been in before. Completing my first year has really improved my confidence and my mindset, as I believe I have achieved many great things within my first year, showing that no matter how hard a task is, you keep going and never give up.”
That mindset, of putting in the work and holding himself to a high standard comes through clearly when Josh talks about what passing means to him.
“Passing means everything to me, as I put so much time and effort into the work set from Helix and from my college. I am strict with myself, as I need to ensure I complete work to the highest standard possible, ensuring I achieve the best grades.”
From the Unknown to a Year of Achievement
Starting an apprenticeship in construction management, a part of the industry Josh had never experienced before, meant stepping into the unknown. But looking back, that uncertainty has given way to genuine pride in how far he’s come.
“I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect in my role at Helix, as I had never been in an apprenticeship before. It was a feeling of going into the unknown – almost a sense of going into it with no worries or stress, giving it my best shot. And here I am a year later with so much success, which has really made myself proud and a lot more confident and capable than what I think I am, allowing me to achieve much success.”
When asked what the single biggest thing, he’s learned has been, Josh found it difficult to narrow down to just one thing – which speaks to just how much ground he’s covered.
“Throughout my first year I couldn’t pick out a specific thing that I have enjoyed learning, because I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as a Helix apprentice. I want to thank everyone involved, starting from Beth, who managed to sort an apprenticeship out for me, to the directors who have allowed me to be a part of their team and provided me with an incredible experience of being on each different Helix site throughout 2026 so far, to the site managers who have ensured I am on the correct track and are teaching me different things every day. Throughout my time at Helix so far, I have learnt how the industry works, and the importance of making sure deadlines are met.”
Moments that Stick: From the Agency Tracker to the Chimney Report
We asked Josh to pick out a moment from the past year that he’s most proud of, and he had several, each marking a real step forward in responsibility and trust.
“For me, producing an agency tracker that the company has used for payments is a moment that really made myself proud, as it was in the first couple of months of my apprenticeship starting, which instantly gave me a confidence boost. I also take part in submitting the Pagabo Dashboard each month, which is a big responsibility, meaning the company trusts me and has faith in me submitting this form every month, so that makes me proud too.”
Perhaps the standout moment, though, came from a piece of technical work Josh completed at Brompton Hall School.
“I completed a chimney report at Brompton Hall School, which I then submitted to the director of Helix, and he used my report without changing anything, and submitted it off to the necessary people. For a director to use my work without changes really makes me proud, because I’ve done a good job.”
Toolbox Talks and Technical Conversations
One of the most visible changes over the past twelve months has been in Josh’s confidence – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the wider Helix team.
“My confidence has improved massively since when I started. At the start I was all shy and nervous, but now I’m having open conversations and also producing toolbox talks to large groups on site, which is enabling my confidence to improve each time I complete these tasks."
A Day in the Life: Three Sites, One Morning Routine
So, what does Josh’s working week look like now, a year in? Currently, he’s involved across three live Helix projects: a demolition at Grimsby Hospital, an MRI unit at Grimsby Hospital, and the Ward C6 demolition and refurbishment.
“I am currently involved in three different Helix projects, so for me, my day-to-day role is very busy, as I am starting the day off at 7:30am on site, ensuring each subcontractor is signed into our new digital software, and also submitting any permits necessary to do their job. I do this for each of these projects; I then go round each site and ask if any of the site managers and assistant site managers need any support. I’m also being taught how to carry out surveys by the on-site teams.”
It’s a routine that reflects exactly the kind of broad, hands-on exposure and experience a construction management apprenticeship is designed to offer, and Josh is taking full advantage of it. As he heads into year two, he’s keeping an open mind about which area of the business he’ll specialise in.
“I am still not sure on what role I want to take up yet, so for me, it’s carrying on as usual and seeing each role within construction and how it works – as that is what my apprenticeship is based on.”
Josh’s Advice to Anyone Considering an Apprenticeship
We asked Josh what he’s say to someone his age weighing up whether to take the plunge into a construction apprenticeship.
“Go get that apprenticeship – that's what I’d say. I think it’s such an amazing industry to be in, as you can get involved and have so many great experiences of being on site, but also being in the office. And it’s more fun thank you think! There are so many roles within it, meaning if you don’t enjoy one of the roles as much, there are so many more to choose from. Go for it, you’ll love it.”
Looking Ahead
From a nervous first day to leading toolbox talks, producing reports that go straight to senior leadership, and managing his own commercial reporting each month, Josh’s first year is a story of genuine progression, and a strong endorsement of what’s possible when a business invests in young talent.
As Josh moves into year two of his apprenticeship and continues working across our live projects, we’re proud to have him as part of the Helix team, and excited to see where the next year takes him.
Here’s to the next twelve months, Josh, and well done on everything you’ve achieved so far.