Building his career, and his future home: Yasin’s journey into construction at The Granges

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Published: 11/11/2026
Categories: Press release

Growing up at Sawyers Close, now known as The Granges, Yasin is now helping build its future. Through a degree apprenticeship with Hill Group, he’s turning his interest in construction into a career, while helping create new affordable homes in the community he calls home.

When Yasin was growing up, he loved building houses out of LEGO. Now, aged 19, he’s a Trainee Site Manager with Hill Group, gaining hands-on experience in construction while working towards his degree. And where he’s doing it is particularly special: the regeneration of The Granges in Windsor, which is the place he’s called home since moving from London in 2017.

“Whenever I tell people I work in construction and am working on my own estate and future home, they’re often surprised and feel excited for me. It’s definitely something I feel proud about.”

Yasin - Trainee Site Manager

Finding a future in construction

Moving from London to Sawyers Close at ten years old was a big change for Yasin. As he got older and started thinking about his future, he began to explore different career options. But it was his school work experience with Hill Group that helped him discover where he wanted to be.

Yasin said: “My work experience at Hill Group really allowed me to dive deeper into all the different aspects of construction that I didn’t know existed before, and I realised that construction was the industry that appealed to me the most.”

After completing his A levels, Yasin secured a place on Hill Group’s degree apprenticeship programme in September, taking his first steps towards a career in the construction industry.

Yasin wearing a high vis vest and hard hat exiting The building site at The Granges

Working to build up the place he calls home

The Granges is our largest regeneration project, delivered in partnership with Hill Group. Once complete, it will provide 413 high-quality, sustainable and 100% affordable homes for existing residents and the wider local community.

Now, as part of the team delivering the new homes, Yasin seeing that transformation from a completely different perspective. His trainee site manager role gives him the chance to understand how a construction project comes together, from coordinating different trades and carrying out health and safety checks to preparing homes for residents.

Each morning, he takes part in daily activity briefings to understand what teams are working on and how the day’s work will progress. He’s also been involved in snagging checks, helping identify issues as the homes get closer to being handed over to residents.

And knowing that the homes being built will be part of his own community makes the experience even more meaningful.

He said: “Whenever I tell people I work in construction and am working on my own estate and future home, they often react surprised and feel excited for me,” he said. “It’s definitely something I feel proud about.”

“Yasin’s journey highlights the positive impact that apprenticeships and regeneration projects can have on local communities. To see someone who grew up on this estate join us for work experience and then progress into our management trainee programme to help deliver the redevelopment of his own community is something we are incredibly proud of.

“At Hill, we are committed to creating opportunities for local people to develop rewarding careers in construction, while delivering high-quality homes and lasting social value. Yasin’s enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to learn have already made a fantastic impression, and we look forward to supporting him throughout his degree apprenticeship and beyond.”

Ryan Harris, Regional Director at The Hill Group

Learning while working

Yasin chose to apply for the trainee site manager programme because it gives him a broad understanding of the construction process and how all the different parts of a project fit together. His degree apprenticeship also offers a balance between practical experience and university study.

He said: “I feel like a degree apprenticeship is the best of both worlds for me. I’m able to meet new people at university and learn the theory, but then also learn the more practical elements of working on site and build relationships in the workplace too.”

“The main advice I would give someone who’s considering working in construction or doing a degree apprenticeship would be to just step out of your comfort zone, try something new and get that experience.”

Yasin wearing a high vis vest in front of The Granges redevelopment

Creating opportunities alongside new homes

Yasin’s journey is a powerful example of how regeneration not only provides new homes and improves living standards, but it also creates opportunities for the communities they’re built in.

Danielle Wellburn, community development officer at Abri, said:

“It’s lovely to see Yasin come full circle, from doing his work experience with Hill Group to now working on the new homes at The Granges. He’s building a career for himself while being part of a project that will make a real difference to the place he calls home. The Granges is a great example of how major regeneration projects not only provide new homes, but also opportunity for the communities they’re built in. We hope his experience also encourages other young people in the area to consider opportunities in construction.”

The first 61 homes at The Granges will be ready for existing residents to move into from February 2027, with a further 121 homes under construction due to be ready in early 2028.

Find out more about The Granges regeneration project.

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