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30 April 2026
D-Drill apprentice James is making the cut in construction
D-Drill & Sawing managing director and former Build UK chair Julie White is passionate about bringing through the next generation of workforce in the construction industry. So much so, that Julie was recently appointed onto the Government’s Construction Skills Mission Board.
In this regular feature on the D-Drill website, The Real Apprentice – You Are Hired, Julie has been catching up with apprentices in the industry both within D-Drill and at other companies in the sector to show the breadth of careers on offer – with hundreds of jobs in the industry!
D-Drill & Sawing’s Diamond Drilling Apprentice James Hawkins may only be 21 years of age, but he has already set his sights on securing his third qualification in the construction industry. Having had stints in drylining and plumbing, the County Durham prospect shares why he feels like he’s finally found a home in his current role.
James said: “I’ve always been a hands-on person and felt like working in construction was the right industry for me. My dad used to work on the train tracks but my uncle was a bricklayer, so I’ve seen the industry from a distance, but up until recently it has been difficult to decide exactly what I wanted to do.
“After leaving school I achieved a Level 1 plumbing qualification, but I then decided to pursue a role in drylining for four years, where I became a qualified interior systems installer.
“That role involved carrying plasterboard up flights of stairs and attaching them to the ceiling. It was hard, enjoyable work, but I decided to give my body a break by looking at other opportunities
“That’s when I heard about the apprenticeship opening at D-Drill’s Newcastle branch through my friends, and since then I haven’t looked back.
“I work in the North East branch and my boss is David Soulsby who is a former D-Drill apprentice himself, and has been with the business for around 25 years, so he is a brilliant mentor to learn from.
“I split my time between working on live sites - which at the moment mainly involves new-build homes – and also spending time at the Drilling and Sawing Association’s training base to learn how to use the equipment.
“I didn’t know anything about the diamond drilling trade before I joined, but now I’m in it I absolutely love it because it is so varied.
“I am only eight months into my 18-month apprenticeship, but what has surprised me the most is that the blades and drill bits have industrial diamond tips in them! The technology that goes into them to make them cut precisely is amazing and I’ve really enjoyed learning about that.
“When I tell people that I am a diamond driller it stops most of them in their tracks, as they think I am drilling for diamonds. I let them think that for a while before telling them that although it’s not as lucrative as that, it’s very cool and varied!
“For anyone wanting to get into the diamond drilling industry I’d say go for it – your mind will always be busy, you’ll never get bored and it’s a great opportunity to always be learning.”
Julie’s thoughts: “It’s fantastic to see James’ family rubbing off on him by pursuing a career in the construction industry, but as he said himself, he wasn’t aware of half of the different job roles available to him from a young age – and that is something that needs to change.
“There are hundreds of trades out there in need of new talent - from diamond drillers to white liners, and steeple jackers to pointed roofers – and as an industry we need to keep shining a spotlight on these roles to the younger generations.
“It’s important that young people are given an opportunity to try out different trades early on in their career to find out what works for them, just as James has done, and I’m delighted he feels like he has now found a home with D-Drill & Sawing, where he is a valued member of our nationwide team.”
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