Employers

Apprenticeships with McCarthy Stone

Level 4 (Higher) Apprenticeship

Introduction Into McCarthy Stone

As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of November 2021, McCarthy Stone operates 475 developments across the UK for more than 20,000 people. 


We believe in championing the role, wellbeing and happiness of older people in society. We help our customers have a better later life, so they feel more connected, recognised, and valued than ever. In late 2020 we launched the McCarthy Stone Charitable Foundation to support local causes that help older people in need across Britain.


We are delighted to be accredited as a Great Place to Work, and this reflects the evolving culture of excellence and inclusivity in our organisation, and the passion from our teams for what they do. We recognise the successes, promotions, and achievements of everyone in our business and provide extensive Learning & Development opportunities to support and further you in your career.

"The apprenticeship helps me use what I am learning, and makes it applicable to the daily tasks I complete. I can understand how we do things and why we do them which I think is really important"

Start your career in Construction with a McCarthy Stone apprenticeship

At McCarthy Stone we recognise that people are the key to our success. You will have opportunities to help you to develop whilst gaining practical experience in our Industry. You will work in an environment where you can fulfil your personal potential, with the support you need to put yourself into a learning mode and the experience and challenges to help you grow. 

The benefits of our apprenticeship programme include: 

  • Joining a team of apprentices across the country developing and supporting each other.
  • Following the Level-4 Construction Site Supervisor Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard, which includes a HNC in Construction and the Built Environment. It will take up to 27-months to complete this.
  • One-day each week will be dedicated entirely to lectures and studying for your apprenticeship qualification. The apprenticeship will be delivered by our provider via blended learning, combining online lectures and tri-annual training weeks delivered face to face.
  • You will be supported to obtain a CSCS card, which you will need to have before you can start work on site.
  • Regular reviews with your training provider, line manager and workplace mentor, in addition to wrap-around support from the Talent and Learning team.
  • You'll be encouraged to take ownership and responsibility. We challenge the status quo and empower everyone to share ideas – if you think there's a better way of doing things, we'll be all ears.

And the best part of the programme? It's on us, meaning you won't pay a single penny in tuition fees!



 Tell me about the role

As a Construction Management Apprentice, you will be on site shadowing the Construction team, gaining a better understanding of the Site Manager role. You will be allocated tasks, attend meetings with subcontractors, and internal and external stakeholders allowing you to further your knowledge and expand your network.  

Over the course of your apprenticeship, you will be given more responsibilities, eventually having responsibility for specific tasks and areas of the site. You will keep a daily diary of events and your learnings. You'll work alongside the wider construction teams and report on the progress of any projects, whilst also liaising with third parties such as councils, utilities, and sub-contractors.


Questions and Answers

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job which offers hands-on work experience alongside off-the-job training to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice you are an employee with a contract of employment, holiday leave and all the benefits of being a full-time member of staff. By the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career along with practical experience and a nationally recognised qualification.


What does off-the-job training look like at McCarthy Stone?

Our apprentice opportunities are registered with a college or training provider to deliver the apprenticeship framework or standard. There is a range of delivery methods such as, attending college/university one day each week, face to face block training weeks and online lectures. 

Apprentices will attend regular sessions and workshops with different department leads to increase business knowledge and to build their network within McCarthy Stone. 


What is the application process for McCarthy Stone’s Apprenticeship Programme?

  • Submit your application via the ‘apply now’ button prior to the closing date on 24th March 2023. 
  • Following this, if you are chosen to progress to the next stage, you will be invited to complete an initial video interview where you record your answers to a series of questions. You will have the opportunity to practice before submitting your recording. 
  • If successful, you will be invited to attend one of our assessment centres in summer 2023, for the final stage of the application process. This will consist of various assessed activities hosted by members of the McCarthy Stone Talent and Learning Team, and various Hiring Managers across the business. 
  • After this, we’ll contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you’re becoming a McCarthy Stone Apprentice and to welcome you to our team!
  • If you have any queries or questions relating to this apprenticeship programme, please contact us on EarlyTalent@mccarthyandstone.co.uk


What is the closing date for applying?

Our application window will be open until 24th March 2023, but we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. McCarthy Stone reserves the right to close vacancies should they receive a large volume of applications before the closing date.

Should you need any support with your application, please contact us at EarlyTalent@mccarthyandstone.co.uk


How does McCarthy assess their applicants?

We are more interested in your potential and what you could bring to our business that what you have done before. That is why throughout the process, we will assess your suitability for the role you have applied for based on our behavioural competency framework. 

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

This depends on the level of apprenticeship that you are studying and which industry sector you are training in. In general:

Level 2: 12-18 months

Level 3: 24 months

Level 4: 24 – 36 months

Level 6: 36 months

If you start as a Level-4 apprentice, which is the equivalent of the first year of university, it takes 5-years to get the equivalent of a degree. You will be studying part-time, as well as earning and getting valuable work experience in the construction industry. 


What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

By the end of this apprenticeship, you'll have the initial skills and knowledge needed for a career in Construction Site Management along with practical experience and a nationally recognised qualification. 

We’ll sponsor you to progress onto a Level-6 Degree Apprenticeship upon successful completion of your first apprenticeship and you'll have access to ongoing training and development to help reach your career ambitions. We have built relationships with universities offering degree apprenticeship across the UK. 


What is the career progression and salary of a Construction Site Manager?

The general career progression is from apprentice to Assistant Site Manager. After that you can work towards progressing to become a Site Manager, Senior Site Manager, Contracts Manager, Construction Manager and to a Construction Director. 

The average salary for a Site Manager is £50,000. As you develop your career with McCarthy Stone you could gain an attractive package including a competitive salary, company car, bonus, life assurance and health care plan. 


What other qualifications and skills will I be supported to attain?

As you progress you career in Construction Site Management with McCarthy Stone you will be supported to achieve the necessary qualifications and skills required. For example, achieving a SMSTS certificate, a black or white CSCS card, becoming a qualified First Aider at Work and completing leadership and management accreditations. 





"I love the fact that you can see the progress you are making and experience the complete lifespan of a project, from acquisition of a piece of land, right through to completion and new homeowners moving in; and when you’re on site you can see the build progress day by day.”
At McCarthy Stone, we believe that later life is filled with possibilities, and we create warm and supportive retirement communities that bring people together to make lives more fulfilling, and provide an environment where new friendships can be created, and there is a feeling of belonging.

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