Ismil – Bricklaying Level 2 Apprenticeship

Ismil started as a Trainee with Optimum Skills, at the Gateshead Construction Academy, after having left an electrical course at another local College. When joining the Traineeship he knew straight away that he wanted to get into bricklaying.

“I was doing an electrical course at another College, but I got kicked out because of my attendance. I was on the course for a year, I was passionate about it at the start, but after realising that the electrical course level 3 is a bit of a mission and I didn’t have my maths, so I was thinking it’s not really for me. Once I got kicked off, I had a blip for a couple of weeks, then I found out about Optimum Skills.” – Ismil

“Overall, I would say I’ve come a long way; there are a lot of things I know now, like my knowledge is up there; it’s really good. I’ve progressed quite far, to think that I started off thinking about being a sparky. I know for a fine fact now that bricklaying was what I always wanted to do; being more hands-on, it’s more my type of thing.” – Ismil

“Working every day, getting up in the morning, finishing late. A lot of people might find that a bit bad, but I loved it; I don’t know what it was; it just fit right in with me. I feel like it gives me a purpose; the main reason I wanted to do bricklaying is not because of this and that; you see, anyone can go get a job anywhere, but I wanted a career path. I wanted something that eventually, in the future, even if I wasn’t going to do it, it’s a failsafe; it’s a trade that you’ve got, and I’ve worked for it, so it will always stay with me; it’s never going to go.” – Ismil

“I’ve developed a lot of trowel skills and being more punctual, to be honest.” – Ismil

“The first day was a bit nerve-wracking; it was stressing me out quite a bit. But I went back home, slept on it, and I came back the next day, and to be honest, the assessor was a bit more understanding and kind. I’ve just done the third part today, the face-to-face interview, and I loved that one; it was probably the best one.”
– Ismil

“I’ve got a job lined up with another employer down in Sunderland, so hopefully once I get that, I’ll be a bricky in a private company. What more do you want?” – Ismil

“I want to excel, I want to progress, I want to clock the bricklaying. But it’s not something that I’ve decided to do for the rest of my life because it takes a toll on your body. It’s one of those things where I do know that, but it’s a case of I will be in the game for my peak years.” – Ismil

“100%, it’s all I tell my mates. I would want to tell all the people that are genuinely thinking about apprenticeships not to waste their time beating around the bush: Do your 8 weeks, do your apprenticeship, and get going.” – Ismil

During the apprenticeship, Ismil Ali received £1000 through the craft bursary scheme after being put forward through Optimum Skills! Through this scheme, he was also allocated a mentor to work by his side for 12 months, supporting him with his craft. Along with the bursary and support, Ismil will also be able to attend future craft award ceremonies.

“Ismil has gone from strength to strength as he moves forward in his apprenticeship, and he has come a very long way in the last year with the standard of his work. Ismil has a bright future in the world of construction, and once he completes his apprenticeship, I wish him the best of luck as he continues to grow his knowledge over the coming years.” – Tutor, Robin