08 February 2026
Apprentice Cian Farrell thriving after ISG setback… Now that’s how to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026
D-Drill & Sawing managing director and former Build UK chair Julie White is passionate about bringing through the next generation of workforce in the construction industry. So much so, that Julie was recently appointed onto the Government’s Construction Skills Mission Board.
In this regular feature on the D-Drill website, 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 hundreds of jobs in the industry!
Cian Farrell’s journey to his degree apprenticeship role with Multiplex hasn’t been straightforward but his career path is a great example of how hard work, persistence and the construction industry pulling together can pay off.
Cian said: “I’m on a degree apprenticeship in construction planning at Multiplex but it hasn’t been plain sailing.
“I started at ISG as an apprentice planner but the company went into administration and within about 14 months of starting I was made redundant, which wasn’t ideal to say the least! But when I spoke to my mates and my family everyone just said the same thing…when one door closes another opens.
“I got the opportunity with Multiplex and it put me in a better place to keep developing, so it’s worked out in the end.
“Build UK and LinkedIn were massive in helping me and others like me find new roles. From what I remember, around 150 apprentices were placed with the support of Build UK, which was brilliant.
“The university side was the stressful bit because I only had one month to find a new employer or I’d be off the course, but I managed to get everything sorted with Multiplex, who have been great with me.
“Within the month I’d agreed terms with Multiplex. There was a bit of paperwork choreography between them and the university, but it basically meant I picked up exactly where I left off.
“Before I came into construction, I studied Economics, Geography and Art A-Levels in sixth form and I saw my brother go off to university and come out with a lot of debt.
“That didn’t appeal to me – I wanted the best of both worlds. So, I looked at how I could get a funded degree, earn money, and build real experience and I applied widely across construction.
“I had a bit of interest in construction beforehand because my godfather has a small residential property firm and I did summer work experience for him which included everything from sweeping floors to helping knock through a wall. It gave me a taste for the industry.
“I’ll be honest, I hadn’t pictured myself as a planner. ISG offered me the role, I researched it and I decided I would take it. After a tough first project, I realised I liked the challenge and wanted to stick with planning.
“It’s given me great opportunities like the project I am working on now called Vista. It’s basically the old ITV headquarters on the South Bank where there will be a six-storey podium splitting into two towers – the north tower up to level 13 near the Thames, and the south tower up to level 26.
“The current contractor carrying out the demolition is also handling the piling and foundations. Multiplex then became the principal contractor last November.
“At the moment, I’m reporting progress on demolition, comparing the contract programme against the live build, flagging any discrepancies, and helping with procurement.
“I’m on site about twice a week so I am getting the best of both worlds.
“Seeing buildings progress and change the skyline – and knowing they will outlast me – is a great feeling. At ISG I worked on Millennium Bridge House where there’s a rooftop garden by St Paul’s Cathedral. The idea of going there with my family one day and saying: “I helped build this,” is something I really find special.
“My family have been great role models for me and I have seen the importance of hard work. My mum’s an NHS midwife which is serious graft and then my dad worked in a trade union pre-Covid and has since gone into building control, so he’s in construction too.
“We sometimes talk about work at the dinner table and it’s nice to share those experiences even though we’re at different stages of our career.
“When I was growing up, I probably wanted to be a palaeontologist because I loved dinosaurs but then I realised it’s mainly rocks and bones! I wanted to be creative, and while I’m not sitting down with a pencil and paper sketching a building there is an element of creative problem-solving where you have to be thinking outside the box on a live, moving project. I love that part of it.”
Julie’s thoughts: “When ISG went into administration I was a few months into my role as Build UK chair and we recognised straight away that the apprentices within the business would need support to continue in the industry.
“We could not afford to let them slip through the net and Cian is a fantastic example of why it was so important to make sure we didn’t lose them to another sector.
“He is a bright, hard-working young man who has a very bright future ahead of him, and is a great example of how an apprenticeship is the perfect path for someone who wants to carve out a career in our fantastic industry.”
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