Apprentices build careers through Somer Community Housing Trust regeneration

Lovell has taken on two new apprentices to work on the major regeneration programme it is carrying out for Somer Community Housing Trust in Keynsham and Bath.

Chad Rogers, from Barrow Road, Odd Down, Bath, and Scott Franklin from Rowde, near Devizes in Wiltshire, have embarked on two-year Modern Apprenticeships with Lovell. Apprentice carpenter Chad and trainee bricklayer Scott – both aged 20 – are learning their trades working on the major redevelopment programme which Lovell is undertaking with the Trust, replacing 1950s PRC (Pre-cast Reinforced Concrete) homes with brand-new flats and houses. Through the regeneration programme, Lovell is currently demolishing 40 homes at Holcombe Green, Weston, Bath, and is set to build 44 new homes in their place. The company is also building 54 new affordable homes at Amberley Close and Lulworth Road in Keynsham.

With good apprenticeships hard to come by, Chad and Scott are delighted at securing a place on the national Lovell apprentice training programme. Each trainee combines working on site with attending college two days a week.

“This is perfect for me,” says Chad, who goes to City of Bath College and is working towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification in carpentry. “I am earning money and the training I get is very good. I’m learning new things all the time.”

“What I like about the job is being able to look back at your work and feel a real sense of achievement,” says Scott, who attends Wiltshire College in Trowbridge and is studying for an NVQ Level 2 qualification in bricklaying.

On site, Chad and Scott are closely supervised by qualified tradespeople with their progress overseen by Lovell regional training manager Mike Davis.

“Chad and Scott have made an impressive start to their apprenticeships,” says Mike Davis. “Providing these kinds of training opportunities is very important to Lovell to encourage more young people into the industry and help them learn the skills they need to build successful careers.”

Angela Gascoigne, Somer Community Housing Trust’s managing director, says:
“We are delighted that Lovell is providing so many opportunities for young people to learn trades throughout our PRC redevelopment project. We wish Chad and Scott every success in their jobs and their studies.”