Business Updates

The space will host 16 students in one of the properties which were previously Ministry of Defence (MoD) properties that have been upgraded by PAH Building & Construction to meet modern energy efficiency standards. During the site visits, students will tour the refurbished homes and use the designated room to discuss their learnings.

As the government outlines its aim to recruit more than 60,000 construction employees by 2029¹, PAH Building & Construction is committed to helping tackle the current skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the construction sector. In support of this, the firm has recently recruited Rafferty Evans from BCoT as a full-time carpenter apprentice who will be assisting the team on the refurbishment and restructure of homes at the Deepcut site.

Rafferty Evans comments: “I have always wanted to pursue a career within the construction industry and it’s incredibly rewarding to have the opportunity to work with the team at PAH Building & Construction on large scale refurbishment projects. Specialising in carpentry, I’m excited to have the hands on experience on site of all aspects of the construction process, while also studying with Basingstoke College of Technology.”

BCoT has over 325 construction students and provides courses including plumbing, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation and construction multi-skills. All courses combine college-based learning with on-site training from experts in the field.

Trevor Wilkins, Managing Director at PAH Building & Construction said: “As we celebrate a year in partnership with Basingstoke College of Technology, it has been fantastic to see the younger generation’s enthusiasm for the industry. At a time when recruiting in the construction sector is crucial to meet the demand of retrofitting 29 million homes in the UK by 2050 to meet net-zero targets. It has been great to see first-hand the eagerness to start a career in the field. From welcoming students to our Fort Halstead site to attending its college careers fair, we are proud to partner with BCoT and support the next generation.”

Steve Gilder, Head of Construction at BcoT, said: “At BCoT, we provide students with pathways into a wide range of industry careers. Having the support of PAH Building & Construction as they offer our students numerous career and learning opportunities is a testament to not only their exceptional work, but their commitment to shaping the next generation of construction workers. We couldn’t thank them enough for their dedication over the last 12 months.”

PAH Building and Construction specialises in residential retrofit projects, bespoke new build projects and complex insurance remediation across the UK. Insurance projects of homes include those that have been severely affected by fires, floods and escapes of water.

The business partners with insurers, surveyors, architects and commercial owners of large residential estates to deliver quality work and transformative results.

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For employers, they are an effective way to build a skilled workforce. For apprentices, they offer an accessible route into industries that rely on hands-on expertise in the construction sector such as carpentry, plumbing, and bricklaying.

At a time when technology and industry needs are evolving rapidly, PAH Building & Construction are committed to bridge the skills gaps by providing apprenticeships through our BCOT partnership.

PAH has been working with Basingstoke College of Technology for the last year, hosting several site visits for its construction students. The firm will also be welcoming Rafferty Evans from BCoT as a full-time carpenter apprentice in September, who will be assisting the team on the wood installation and restructure of homes at its Mindenhurst site in Surrey.

Myth one: Apprenticeships are poorly funded

The truth: Earn while you learn

Unlike traditional full-time study, apprentices receive a salary. This financial stability makes training accessible to more people and allows apprentices to gain independence while developing valuable skills. For many, it is the chance to gain qualifications without taking onstudent debt.

Myth two: Apprenticeships are only for school leavers

The truth: Open to all ages

Apprenticeships are not just for young people leaving education. There is no upper age limit, and adults can also retrain or upskill through these programmes. This makes them a flexible option for anyone looking for a fresh start or a new career.

Myth three: Apprenticeships are less valuable than degrees

The truth: A respected alternative

University is not the only career route. Apprenticeships are highly regarded by employers because they combine industry experience with learning. In fact, degree apprenticeships allow individuals to gain the same qualification as a traditional degree, but with the added advantage of paid work experience.

Myth four: Apprenticeships are not real jobs

The truth: Real work, real learning

Apprentices work on meaningful tasks from day one, supported by experienced mentors. In trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and bricklaying, apprentices gain hands-on experience that simply cannot be learned in a classroom alone. Alongside this, they spend at least 20% of their time in structured learning, working towards a nationally recognised qualification1.

Myth five: Apprenticeships do not lead to career progression

The truth: A stepping stone to success

Far from limiting future opportunities, apprenticeships open doors. They provide practical skills, industry knowledge, and professional networks that boost employability. Many apprentices go on to secure permanent roles, rise through the ranks of their company, or even go on to start their own businesses.

Statistics show that 85% of apprentices stay in employment after completing an apprenticeship scheme, with 75% of former apprentices were said to have been given more responsibility in their role once qualified, and 32% stated they earned a promotion within in the first 12 months of completing an apprenticeship scheme.

Myth six: Businesses are not hiring apprentices

The truth: Demand is strong

Employers across all sectors continue to invest in apprenticeship programmes. For businesses, apprenticeships provide a strategic solution to skills shortages, ensuring a pipeline of trained and motivated employees. Colleges and training providers also support companies with recruitment, administration and training delivery, making the process straightforward.

Apprenticeships are a proven route to skills, qualifications, and career success. Whether in carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying, or beyond, apprenticeships remain one of the most valued ways to learn.

The appointments follow a raft of new contract wins for PAH across the UK, including insurance projects of homes affected by fire and flood damage and the refurbishment of former Ministry of Defence (MoD) homes.

PAH expects to turnover £12m by the end of this financial year after achieving 20% overall growth in 2024.

Andy, James and Chris are three of 14 additional hires made across site management and trade roles over the last 12 months, to bolster the firm’s capacity to deliver complex refurbishment and reinstatement projects as the business continues to grow.

James brings over 11 years of experience in commercial and retail refurbishment and has worked for a variety of blue-chip companies, local authorities and private residential clients.

James comments: “After spending 10 years as a secondary school Maths teacher, I decided I wanted to retrain as a Quantity Surveyor. My career in this industry really began in 2014 and I worked my way up from graduate level to Senior Quantity Surveyor. PAH is a fantastic example of an SME construction firm which gives me the opportunity to be valued as a member of the team rather than being just a part of a large machine. I’m now looking forward to the variety of projects we can get stuck into.”

As one of the newest members of the carpentry team, Chris has over 21 years of experience in the industry having previously set up his own business completing a variety of MoD and Housing Association projects.

Chris comments: “I have been in this industry for half of my life at 36 years old. I love seeing the end result of a project, so much so, I started my own business and later became a sub-contractor working on various projects including boat work.

“I chose to work with PAH as I felt they were invested in my potential. It’s been a great experience getting stuck in, I feel extremely valued and the company’s dedication to training and upskilling is unlike any other.”

Site operative Andy brings strong experience as a self-employed carpenter and construction labourer for over 15 years. He adds: “It is fantastic to join PAH and to work particularly on the insurance side of the business. It is really rewarding to bring people’s homes back together and to take on the challenge of homes damaged by flooding and fire, which often brings up unforeseeable issues to problem-solve. I have recently passed my Site Manager’s Safety Training Scheme and First Aid Course with PAH, and I am looking forward to taking on more projects over the coming months.”

Trevor Wilkins, Managing Director of PAH Building & Construction, said: “With their combined experience and fresh perspectives, our new additions are already helping us deliver on our ambitious project pipeline while continuing to uphold the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.”

“Our growing team brings strong experience from across the industry, enabling us to take on even more and we are looking forward to seeing milestone projects through to completion by the end of the year.”

PAH Building & Construction Ltd, was founded in 2010 by Trevor Wilkins and Mark Cuttriss. The business delivers a range of extensive residential retrofit projects, bespoke new build projects and complex insurance remediation works across the UK.