Although Peter has now given up full-time work, he expects to taper his retirement by working a few days a week. One thing he will be doing outside of it is working on his model railway, which he has built from scratch and developed over 25 years, and which spans 35 feet by 9 feet.
Syrus, from Salford, has come directly from school, having secured an apprenticeship with BAM. He doesn’t have Peter’s insight into the many trades that dominate the site, but has found a way to learn.
“I watch what the trade contractors are doing and stand with them. I have a go at it myself for a while to get a sense of what they are doing.”
While Peter has his notebook, Syrus patrols the buildings being able to access and update the plans electronically.
Both men attended Stockport College, and both came via the apprenticeship route. With 800 students ultimately being catered for by the engineering and design College, it’s notable that both are convinced about the value of a career in construction.