February 2026, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, Sellafield
We visited Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick at Sellafield to find out about their apprenticeship. Here are the stories of some of their current apprentices as introduced by their Senior Construction Manager.
Hello, I’m Brian McCrate, Senior Construction Manager. I’ve been with Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick for 23 years, and in that time I’ve seen first-hand how apprenticeships transform lives, careers, and the future of our industry.
Across our business, we employ apprentices in a wide range of roles, structural, mechanical, electrical, and supervisory. Our goal is simple: to inspire young people and develop them in line with the needs of the construction industry, helping them grow into the tradespeople and leaders of tomorrow.
At Sellafield, where many of our apprentices are based, the work we do is vital. The nuclear industry plays a key role in the country’s security and energy future. That’s why we invest heavily in training, development, and early‑career opportunities, from the Braithwaite Apprenticeship Challenge to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Many of our apprentices stay with us for years, building stable, rewarding careers.
Below, several of our apprentices share their stories, why they joined, what they’ve learned, and where they hope their careers will take them.
Kieran Leslie – Electrical Apprentice
For Kieran Leslie, choosing an electrical apprenticeship was about opportunity, both at home and beyond.
Kieran has been with Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick for two and a half years and is currently based at Sellafield. Growing up, he heard stories from his granddad about the area’s strong construction heritage and the career paths it could offer. That encouragement stuck.
He’s now excited about the future:
“Once I finish my apprenticeship, I can work in different parts of the country or even the world. Electrical work is needed everywhere.”
Kieran values the hands-on learning, the communication skills he’s developed, and the friendships he’s made along the way. His message to anyone considering the industry is simple:
“You’ll absolutely love it.”
Emily Jones – Electrical Apprentice
Emily Jones is halfway through her three‑and‑a‑half‑year electrical apprenticeship. After trying a college course that didn’t feel right, she turned to an apprenticeship for a more practical, earn‑while‑you‑learn route.
With both her dad and brother having completed electrical apprenticeships, she already knew the value of the trade. Now, she’s building her own path, saving money for future travel and exploring where her career might take her next.
Emily is also passionate about encouraging more women into the industry:
“It’s mainly a male-dominated industry, so a lot of girls are scared to join. But everyone treats you equally. People are nice, and you make a lot of friends. It’s a great opportunity to get a good job.”
Lennox Hunter – Pipefitting Apprentice
For Lennox, the appeal of an apprenticeship was clear: learning a trade while earning a wage.
Now nearing the end of his four-year pipefitting apprenticeship, he reflects on the satisfaction of seeing a job through from start to finish. Daily briefings, preparing and fitting pipes, and watching the commissioning team take over have all given him a strong sense of achievement.
Working at Sellafield has shown him that Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick offers more than classroom learning:
“I was learning on a critical nuclear site, not just studying.”
With his apprenticeship complete, Lennox is already planning his next step, returning to education to complete an HNC in Mechanical Engineering with the goal of joining the engineering team.
Hayley Jo – Pipefitting Apprentice
Hayley Jo is one year into her pipefitting apprenticeship and already looking ahead to joining the Sellafield site, following in her brother’s footsteps, who’s now a Project Manager there.
She’s eager to apply the practical skills she’s gained at college and is especially excited about building a network of female construction professionals. For her, the apprenticeship is a gateway to hands‑on experience, confidence and long‑term career growth.
Lewis Parker – Mechanical Apprentice
Lewis Parker has been with Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick for eight months and has two years left in his apprenticeship. Inspired by his dad, a Works Manager at Sellafield, Lewis always knew he wanted to enter the construction industry.
The apprenticeship appealed because it offered structured development and unique opportunities from day one, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Braithwaite Challenge.
Lewis thrives on the practical side of the programme:
“We do hands-on training four days a week, then theory one day. I prefer being on site because I can put what I know into practice.”
He’s proud to contribute to the piping network at Sellafield and is motivated by the idea of helping others build on the work he’s been part of.
Shaping the Next Generation of Industry Professionals
These stories reflect the heart of our apprenticeship programme: real people, real opportunities, and real futures being built every day.
At Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, we’re committed to supporting young people as they grow into skilled professionals who will shape the future of the construction and nuclear industries. Whether they stay local or take their skills around the world, their journeys start here, with curiosity, ambition and the courage to learn.