As the housebuilding industry celebrates National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February 2026), a trainee assistant site manager at Taylor Wimpey South Midlands has described how an apprenticeship has boosted his career ambitions.
22-year-old Akbar Zaman hails the development of his technical knowledge and confidence on site since starting his apprenticeship at the Bronze Park development in Kents Hill in September 2025 through the National House-Building Council (NHBC) training hub.
Originally starting his journey as an apprentice bricklayer, Zaman grasped the opportunity to gain site management experience while working towards a recognised Level 4 NVQ qualification in site management.
He said: “Working with Taylor Wimpey as a trainee assistant site manager has taught me so many things about the housebuilding industry and the site team’s responsibility in delivering homes safely, on time and to Taylor Wimpey’s high standard. Since joining the team at Bronze Park, my confidence and understanding of the industry have grown significantly.”
Throughout his apprenticeship, Zaman has had the expertise of Bronze Park’s senior site manager, Rob Parker, to help him develop his knowledge.
Zaman continued: “Rob and the rest of the site team at Bronze Park have been very supportive in helping me develop both my technical knowledge and confidence on site. He has taken the time to explain build stages, quality standards, as well as health and safety requirements, while gradually trusting me with more responsibility as my understanding progresses.
“I’ve had many opportunities to learn from experienced professionals with my time at Taylor Wimpey so far. Working so closely with Rob and the site team has allowed me to observe how sites are run on a day-to-day basis, from planning work and coordinating subcontractors to managing quality and programme deadlines.”
While he has been an apprentice with Taylor Wimpey for five months, Zaman’s proudest achievement is the increased responsibility he has received from embracing his opportunity to experience the housebuilding process at a development.
He added: “Having worked closely with the site team, I have been trusted with increased responsibility, and I’m proud to have been able to see successful plot progression as a result. Seeing key stages of the build from groundwork and superstructure through to the final finishes with completion to a high standard is very rewarding. There is huge satisfaction in seeing something tangible like a home take shape from the ground up.”
Julie Pearce, Taylor Wimpey’s regional apprentice manager, commented: “Akbar has been an excellent apprentice since starting his role with Taylor Wimpey in September last year. He clearly has a passion and finesse for housebuilding and site management, proving himself to be a great help to the site team at our Bronze Park development.
“With his fantastic communication skills and good work ethic, he is ahead of target to complete his course and is already thinking about his career aspirations for the future.”
