Back

Construction Leon

“ Usain Bolt might stay in one of the flats I'm building! ”

get our feed »

Who?

Leon February, 19

My job: I'm an Apprentice Formworker helping to build the athlete's village in the Olympic Park.
What's the biggest challenge been so far?: The atmosphere on site means you often get plenty of stick! I used to be shy but I'm getting better as I get used to the banter!

read on

My career path:

Emmanuel Youth Project
I fancied doing some local youth work and this place was brilliant.
BeOnSite
When I wanted to do an apprenticeship I headed straight for this company.
NVQ Level 2 Formwork
This is where I learned the skills I'm using at the Olympic Village.

Ask me about my job

Ask

* see terms and conditions see some questions and answers

My updates

follow me on twitter

Previous month

February

I hope you all got the results you wanted!

thu, 19 aug 2010

Congratulations if you're celebrating! If things didn't go to plan, don't worry - there's plenty of options out there for you!

thu, 19 aug 2010

You can see some of the artist pictures of how the Olympic Village is going to look on the @makingthegames Twitter feed...

mon, 09 aug 2010

...Believe me, the Olympic site is looks more and more like it does in the pictures every day!

mon, 09 aug 2010

Two years to go until the Olympic Games! This time in 2012, the blocks I'm building will be full of athletes!

tue, 27 jul 2010

My friends

Leon February, 19

What do you have to do?: I help build the concrete frames for the buildings in the athletes' village, putting "shutters" (a shutter is like a mould) in place for the concrete to be poured into. It's pretty rewarding.
How did you get into construction?: I joined the BeOnSite apprentice scheme at the Emmanuel Youth Project and then they sent me on a two-week training course, then I was allowed on site.
Would practical qualifications at school have helped?: I'm a practical hands-on sort of a guy, so school subjects weren't always my thing. I learned a lot at the Emmanuel Youth Project though - assertiveness, job interview tips, communication skills, body language - and I think that's been really useful.
How does it feel being part of London 2012?: Once the building work is finished, you'll get that feeling like "I helped build that!" and I guess that's one of the best things about the job.
What's the biggest challenge been so far?: The atmosphere on site means you often get plenty of stick! I used to be shy but I'm getting better as I get used to the banter!
Competition for a place must have been tough?: At first I was turned down, but I didn't give up. I get my determination from knowing that I can get a career out of it at the end, that's my focus.
Met anyone famous?: I heard the Queen came down to the site one day, but I didn't see her. Boris Johnson came too, but I didn't see him either! There should be a few more famous visitors in the next couple of years though, so I should get to meet someone!
What do you love most about your job?: To be honest, I love working because it builds up my muscles! It's a free work-out!
Why would you recommend your job?: There are a lot of career paths it could lead to - architecture, management, engineering - so it's a good starting point.
How often do you get an adrenalin rush at work?: All the time! You're always on the move, it's an active job. You're not stuck behind a desk all the time. If you don't like office work then this is definitely the job for you! And it's a buzz to be part of such a big project too.

Leon February, 19

What time do you start work in the morning? Dave, Stratford: Hi Dave, I start at half seven. At first it's difficult but you get used to it after a while. It's harder to leave the house on cold mornings but the summer is coming soon!
What are you building at the moment?: It's a block of flats for the athletes to stay in. Maybe Usain Bolt will be in one of them!
If you could have worked on one building in the world, what would it be? Nicolas, 12, London: It’d probably be the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It’s half a mile high – by far the tallest building in the world. What an experience it must’ve been to work that high!

How I got here

Construction Leon

Leon February, 19

My career path:

Ask me about my job

My updates

LOADINGLOADING

My friends

Leon February, 19

Leon February, 19

How I got here

thank you for your question

contact us

Edge campaigns to raise the stature of practical and vocational learning