Home ownership
03/06/2026
“My apprenticeship gave me the confidence to build a career I’m proud of”
A Newcastle teenager has spoken about how his bricklaying apprenticeship has helped him gain confidence, build new skills and start a career he is proud of.
Brad Batey, 19, pursued his Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship with top 10 housebuilder, Keepmoat, after realising his future was in construction.
Delivered through a partnership between Keepmoat and the National House Building Council (NHBC), Brad gains hands-on experience on site alongside attending the NHBC Training Hub in Scotswood to practice his skills with NHBC tutors.
Brad’s journey began after attending an NHBC Training Hub open day, where he quickly realised construction was the career path for him. He explains: “Before I started my apprenticeship, I was shy and didn’t feel confident speaking up. I knew I wanted a career in construction, but I didn’t know how to get there.

“It’s been great to see a full-circle moment. I first heard about this route by attending the NHBC open day and now I’ve been able to come back as an apprentice and help out myself. I’ve supported two NHBC Hub open days, helping to demonstrate bricklaying and showing visitors how to lay bricks.
“Being trusted to help out and pass on what I’ve learned has been a big confidence boost. It’s something I’m really proud of and hopefully it encourages others to consider an apprenticeship in construction too.
“From the moment I started, I’ve been learning on site and at the hub and the support from the team has been brilliant. The mix of practical training, working alongside experienced bricklayers and having time at the hub has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Keepmoat has given me the confidence to build a career I’m proud of.”
Through his time on site at Willow Glade, Newcastle upon Tyne, Brad has helped build homes from the ground up, supporting the developer to transform a disused piece of brownfield land in Newcastle alongside other apprentices.
Keepmoat has been working alongside the NHBC since 2022 and apprentices spend an initial five weeks of tailored and immersive training at the NHBC Training Hub covering both theory and practical skills before working on site.
This is followed by four further two-week blocks at the NHBC Training Hub every ten weeks throughout the apprenticeship programme which is delivered in 14 to 18 months.
Geoff Scott, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat, North East added: “Brad has really embraced the apprenticeship from day one. He’s shown a great attitude, a real willingness to learn and he’s grown in confidence every week.
“At Keepmoat, we are excited to see apprentices thrive in their roles and become the new generation of bricklayers, especially with the current skills shortage in the industry. Being able to support him at the NHBC hub and on site has been a pleasure, he’s developing into a skilled bricklayer and he’s already making a positive impact on the team.”
Continue reading
Home ownership
03/06/2026
Seasonal
01/06/2026
Your Freedom Starts Here
Home ownership
22/05/2026
Cambridge Green, Grimsby | Modern Coastal Living with Space to Grow
Business news
21/05/2026