At just 20 years old, Oli is already making his mark in the bricklaying industry. As an apprentice with GSQ Brickwork Ltd working on Sempra's Chapelgate, Broadmayne and Tyefields developments, creating 166 new homes—the family business led by his father, Garry —Oli is passionate about building a successful career in construction, with plans to eventually, with his brothers, take over the company.
"I've always been drawn to construction because it’s interactive, and there’s something fascinating about the work," Oli says. "You meet new people and get to see real results from what you do."
Oli’s journey to bricklaying started when he decided to pursue an apprenticeship to gain qualifications and advance his career. After 15 months of hard work and learning, Oli recently passed his End Point Assessment (EPA), a key milestone in his apprenticeship.
"It’s been an interesting experience. I’ve met so many new people and learned so much. I didn’t realize how diverse the world of bricklaying is—there are so many different types of work on different sites. It’s never the same thing twice," he reflects.
Oli’s apprenticeship was far from the traditional route. Instead of spending a day at college each week, he participated in an accelerated program that included five weeks of training followed by seven to eight weeks of practical experience on-site. This cycle continued for 12 months, giving Oli plenty of hands-on learning. After completing the training block, he spent three months preparing for and completing his EPA.
Despite being part of a family business, Oli knows that his path hasn’t been without its challenges. Many people assume that being Garry’s son means he has it easy, but Oli is quick to set the record straight.
"It’s definitely not easy," he says. "When you’re part of the family business, everything follows you, especially if you make a mistake or don’t do something right. People know who you are, but I don’t advertise it. I don’t want any special treatment. I want to earn my place just like everyone else."
For Oli, proving himself on-site and doing the work the right way is essential. He works hard to show that he’s just as committed as any other apprentice. “I don’t want to do less just because my last name is Staines. I’m here to learn and work hard.”
His goals for the future are clear: Oli wants to take on more responsibility within the business and eventually, with his brothers, take it over. "I’d love to one day take over GSQ Brickwork, but for now, I’m focused on progressing, learning more, and getting involved in all aspects of the business," he says. "I want to gain experience in site management, contract management, and eventually help train future apprentices."
Mentorship has played a significant role in Oli’s apprenticeship. He’s worked with several mentors throughout his journey, each bringing different skills and perspectives. "I’ve had a lot of mentors who helped me learn. Sometimes you get assigned a mentor, but if they’re busy, there’s always someone else on-site willing to help," Oli explains. "What’s been most important is my mentors having the patience to teach me and making sure I’m getting the skills right. It’s all about quality over speed in the beginning."
As for advice for those starting out in the industry, Oli says, “The main thing I’d tell apprentices is to enjoy the process. I’ve worked with people who didn’t want to talk or engage with me, but I always felt more interested in my work when I could have conversations with my mentors about life outside of the job.”
When it comes to his own apprenticeship, Oli wishes he’d focused more on quality from the start. “When I first began, I was focused on speed rather than quality. My mentor taught me to slow down, plan each brick carefully, and the speed will come with time.”
With his strong work ethic and clear goals for the future, Oli is on the right path to a successful career in bricklaying and is determined to carry on the family business for years to come.
