NAW Case Study - Joshua Warren
Building Skills, Confidence, and Purpose Through a Surveying Apprenticeship
Joshua Warren’s apprenticeship journey shows how apprenticeships can open doors at any stage of life. As an Apprentice Surveying Technician within the Property Services Team at Gosport Borough Council, Joshua is gaining vital technical experience while helping to maintain safe, compliant, and well-managed local authority assets across the borough.
A Role with Real Responsibility
Joshua’s day-to-day role is wide-ranging and highly varied, offering exposure to the many challenges involved in managing public-sector property.
“There is a wide range of duties my role covers, including ensuring our properties comply with standards and legislation.” I carry out Energy Performance Assessments, Fire Risk Assessments, and Housing Health and Safety Rating System inspections. This includes taking meter readings, checking emergency lighting, and responding to issues raised by tenants or stakeholder partners.”
Joshua’s role also allows him to contribute to project work, including designing and producing plans for a property conversion — demonstrating the breadth of experience the apprenticeship provides.
Developing Technical Knowledge and Practical Skills
Seven months into his apprenticeship, Joshua is working towards a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment. During this time, he has developed specialist skills that directly support his role.
“I’ve been trained to conduct Domestic Energy Assessments and to assess dwellings using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. I’m also currently training towards competency in foundation-level Fire Risk Assessing.”
Alongside assessment work, Joshua is building strong technical capabilities.
“I’ve been learning to use Computer Aided Design software and various surveying tools to make accurate representations of what we find in the field.”
This blend of classroom learning and practical application has accelerated his development and confidence.
A New Opportunity at the Right Time
Joshua’s apprenticeship is one of the first of its kind at Gosport Borough Council, making it a learning experience not only for him but for the wider team.
“This has been a new experience not just for myself but also for the wider team and department that I am a part of. The apprenticeship has been a great opportunity for me.”
As a mature learner, Joshua reflects on how significant the opportunity has been for his personal circumstances.
“.I am a mature learner having come to this midlife, and is something I wish I had had the good fortune to get onto in my younger years seeing the many doors this apprenticeship opens for the future.”
Being able to earn while learning has been crucial.
“A big barrier for me was needing to keep earning to support a young family and a mortgage. This apprenticeship has allowed me to gain qualifications and experience while still providing for my family.”
Balancing Learning, Work, and Life
While the apprenticeship has been challenging, Joshua describes it as extremely rewarding.
It has been a steep learning curve but extremely rewarding and I am managing to balance my daily workload, learning and personal life. I have also found it rewarding in that it has opened a whole new field of interest for myself in learning about construction and the science involved. I have always enjoyed studying but through an apprenticeship it has been great to be able to immediately put what I have learnt into use, and by putting it into use it has allowed me to learn more.
Advice for Future Apprentices
Joshua recognises that apprenticeships suit people from many different backgrounds and stages of life.
“It is difficult to give advice to someone else considering an apprenticeship because as my case shows, there is a great diversity of people across backgrounds and age with different circumstances. But if I was going to give any, it would be: you only get back what you put in. You need to take every opportunity that comes to you and find ways to make your own opportunities to get the most out of this that you can. You need to be curious and push yourself and want to succeed. You need to not only want to learn and ask questions, but enjoy it as well and take it as second nature and approach it as a personal interest. That said it is also important to learn to balance this with your personal or family life and keep reminding yourself of your goal, and ensure you take care of yourself.”
Why Apprenticeships Matter
Joshua believes apprenticeships play a vital role in both workforce development and organisational sustainability.
“I feel apprenticeships are crucial for employers to train their next generation and ensure vital skills and knowledge that sometimes can’t be found in textbooks are preserved and handed down.”
He also highlights their value for existing staff and organisations.
“At the same time apprenticeships are not only about bringing new staff in but developing existing staff with enhanced skills and training that otherwise are very difficult to find or achieve. I would add as well that developments in techniques and technology and changing needs and demands mean that even the skills experienced workers have can become outdated or insufficient, so apprenticeships are necessary to bring current staff up to date with the latest developments and ensure the employer’s organisation is matching the present day world.”
For Joshua, the benefits go far beyond technical skills.
“Apprenticeships not only benefit the apprentice, it benefits the employer by giving the skilled workforce they require and benefits the overall economy. For the employer, investing in an apprentice helps to develop loyalty and a sense of belonging in an organisation and a willingness to go the extra distance to achieve. Finally, for me, an apprenticeship isn’t just about skills and knowledge but also developing as a person with values and a demeanour that benefits everyone.”
A Foundation for the Future
Joshua’s story demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide opportunity, stability, and renewed purpose — regardless of age or background. By combining structured learning with meaningful work, he is laying the foundations for a career he is proud of while contributing positively to his community and employer.