13 March 2025
D-Drill & Sawing managing director Julie White is passionate about bringing through the next generation of workforces in the construction industry.
In a new feature, entitled The Real Apprentice – You Are Hired, Julie has been catching up with apprentices in the industry both within D-Drill and at other companies in the sector to show the breadth of careers on offer – with more than 2,000 jobs in the industry!
Daniel Beevers was looking for career progression in the construction industry – and he found it as an apprentice with D-Drill.
Daniel said: “My family is in the construction industry and so it is something that I always wanted to come into. I wanted an opportunity for career progression so when I got the chance to come to D-Drill as an apprentice I wanted to find out more.
“I came into the industry straight from school and had done a few different jobs, but I wanted something that offered me the chance to get qualified and progress further.
“I didn’t know diamond drilling and sawing even existed as a trade, let alone if it was something I would be looking to get into but since I came here in April 2024, I’ve really enjoyed getting out onto sites and working on a range of different projects.
“I go to the Drilling & Sawing Association Training Centre in Nottingham to complete my apprenticeship training and studies. I wasn’t always the best at school, but I enjoy being hands-on and have already worked on some major projects such as bridge in Dewsbury through to Marston Brewery. I’ve also worked on a hospital job and quite a few civil engineering jobs too.
“I’m looking forward to being able to work with some of the larger saws, such as the floor saw, wall/track saw and the wire saws which are needed to complete some of the bigger jobs we do and will help to make me an all-rounder in the industry.
“I really like the look of the remote-controlled demolition equipment too and I can’t wait to be able to utilise that on site on some of the cut and carve jobs.
“The tasks at the Drilling and Sawing Association (DSA) training centre where they have an area called the ‘Diamond Zone’ with concrete to practice all the different types of concrete cutting technology provide a really good, practical method to follow, but you also need to experience being out on-site with the more experienced drillers to see what happens in the real world.
“Different problems can come up every day and they use their years of knowledge and experience to overcome them.
“The great thing is that, once I complete my apprenticeship, there are more opportunities to go to the next level of qualification, which could be an NVQ3 in leadership and management which would be another asset for me as I move along in my career.
“I think it’s hard for younger people to know what they want to do when they leave school, but I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship route because it offers so many different opportunities to learn and also get stuck into doing the job.
“I was introduced to it by a mate who recently qualified and it’s been great being out on a few jobs with him and having some good laughs while we also make sure we get the job done.”
Julie’s thoughts: “I’m really proud of all of the apprentices at D-Drill because it makes me so happy to be bringing through the next generation of people in the construction industry.
“Also, it was through my dad’s vision that we’d set up the DSA association over 30 years ago with an apprenticeship and training centre for our industry so it’s great to see it still thriving all of these years on.
“Daniel was a classic case of being introduced to D-Drill by a friend who already works here and suddenly realising all of the opportunities that come with being an apprentice here and inside the concrete cutting industry. We look forward to helping him develop a successful career with us.”
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