Life as a Bagnalls Management Trainee: Olivia & Aden
18 September 2026
Bagnalls has always seen the value of providing our talented team members with the training they need to level up in their career. This is just one of the reasons we created our Management Trainee programme, allowing both new and existing team members to progress to a senior level within our company.
In fact, three members of our current Board of Directors are former Management Trainees, with ten members of our Senior Management team (including Regional Directors and Branch Managers) also previously completing the programme. 86% of our colleagues who graduated from our Management Trainee programme have chosen to remain with Bagnalls to advance their career even further!
We’re extremely proud of the success of this programme, which provides trainees with the knowledge and skills they need to manage successful painting and decorating contracts – from safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) to surveying, estimating, contracts management and more.
We sat down with two of our current Management Trainees to find out more about their daily tasks and how they are progressing so far at Bagnalls.
Olivia is working out of our Newcastle office, while Aden is from our Leicester branch. They both began their journeys with Bagnalls in June of this year.
How are you enjoying your experience at Bagnalls so far?
Olivia: “I’m really enjoying it! It’s been a great opportunity to learn more about the business, meet different people and get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. No day is the same which keeps things interesting and I feel like I have developed a lot since starting.”
Aden: “I’ve loved every moment of my new career at Bagnalls. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed and every interaction I’ve had with staff from my branch all the way to head office has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone is eager to help.”
What made you want to complete a Management Traineeship at Bagnalls?
Olivia: “I saw it as a great opportunity to develop skills and gain experience across different areas of the business. I liked the idea of being able to learn while also taking on responsibility and working towards a career in management. Bagnalls feels like a company where I could build a long-term career.”
Aden: “I’d reached a professional ceiling at my last job and wanted more out of the third of my life that I spend at work. I wanted to strengthen my existing skills, while also learning something new that was challenging and different each day.”
What was it like attending a site for the first time?
Olivia: “I was nervous, as I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. Once I got there, everyone was really welcoming; it was useful to see the work being carried out first hand and grasp a basic understanding of how my learning in the office connects to what happens on site.”
Aden: “Attending a site for the first time was quite surreal as it really felt as if the shoe was on the other foot! I’ve always worked in the construction industry, dealing with Contracts Managers, whereas now I was dealing with tradespeople. All was well though, as I was shadowing my Branch Manager, who had been in my exact position before.”
Have you felt supported during your time at Bagnalls?
Olivia: “Yes, definitely. Everyone has been really approachable and willing to help whenever I’ve had questions. My colleagues have taken the time to explain things to me, include me in conversations and make me feel like part of the team. The support from them has made me settle into the new role easily.”
Aden: “I’ve definitely felt supported in my short time with Bagnalls. All but two of the Contracts Managers at my branch started as Management Trainees, so they know and understand the position I’m in and can assist accordingly. Everyone at my branch offers to take me along with them on jobs, whether surveying or conducting site visits, and I find this to be invaluable in my professional development.”
How do you feel about the future of your career?
Olivia: “I feel positive about the future. Now that I’m more settled and have a better understanding of my role, I’m excited to see where the traineeship will take me. There are lots of opportunities to learn and progress, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my skills and take on more responsibility.”
What have you enjoyed most about your traineeship so far?
Olivia: “The variety of learning has probably been my favourite part. I’ve enjoyed getting involved in different areas of the business, meeting new people and learning from different experiences. I’ve also really enjoyed being able to go out to different sites, as it’s given me a much better understanding of the work we do and how everything comes together.”
Aden: “The responsibility I’m afforded and the work I’m encouraged to undertake, especially working for such a large company. I really feel that, for the first time in my life, I work somewhere that cares about my career as much as I do.”
If you would like to find out more about our Management Trainee programme, get in touch via our online form today or speak directly to one of the team on 01274 714 800.