Doncaster apprentices build careers with Lovell

As National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 10 February) gets under way, Lovell has enabled two Doncaster teenagers to kick-start their careers by joining the company as apprentices.

Ryan Senior and Adam Wilkinson are both working on the 123-home regeneration development which Lovell is building at Six Streets, Hyde Park, Doncaster, for Doncaster Council. The pair, recruited by Lovell from Doncaster College, will complete a two-year training programme with the company.

In the foreground are newly-recruited apprentices Ryan Senior, left and Adam Wilkinson

Trainee bricklayer Ryan, 19, from Clay Lane, says: “I was over the moon when I heard I’d got the apprenticeship, especially as I’d applied to a few companies and hadn’t heard back. I’ve done some labouring for my uncle but this is the first time I’ve had proper site experience. I like the challenge and the fact that every day is different. Everyone on site is brilliant and always willing to help.”

Apprentice joiner Adam Wilkinson, 17, from Edenthorpe, says: “This is what I’ve always wanted to do so I’m really pleased to have this opportunity to get experience on site and learn my trade with Lovell.”

Lovell will support both Adam and Ryan as they study for NVQ Level 2 qualifications and has presented them each with a set of tools. The teenagers attend Doncaster College on day release while gaining site experience, supervised by qualified tradespeople, as part of the Lovell team working at Six Streets.

“Giving local people this type of opportunity is a vital part of our work creating a long-term legacy in communities and with youth unemployment at a record high, it’s probably never been more important,” says Lovell regional director Noel Adams. “We look forward to enabling Adam and Ryan to develop their careers.”

Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, comments: “One of my top priorities is to improve education and skills in Doncaster because they are crucial to a successful economy. I’m delighted to see that this regeneration project is providing employment and training opportunities for local young people.”

The £13 million mixed tenure development at Six Streets includes 86 homes for open market sale; 22 properties for rent through registered social landlord Guinness Northern Counties and 15 available for shared ownership through the Lovell Choice scheme.