Top awards for construction apprentices Taylor and Garreth |
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Two teenagers from the West Midlands are celebrating after being chosen by Lovell for two of the company’s top regional awards.
Taylor, 18, and Garreth, 19, were each presented with a glass trophy and a bottle of champagne by Lovell to mark their achievements. “It’s great to see two talented youngsters like Taylor and Garreth making such impressive progress with their careers,” says David Gough, regional director for Lovell, which has local offices at Woodgate Business Park, Woodgate Valley, Birmingham. “Congratulations to both of them – they have worked extremely hard and fully deserve to be rewarded for their efforts.” Taylor and Garreth both joined Lovell in February 2008 and, with the company’s support, recently completed NVQ Level 2 qualifications in carpentry and joinery and bricklaying respectively. In addition to their work on site, the pair attended the national Lovell apprentice training centre, the Lovell Craft Academy at Stephenson College, Leicestershire, on a block release basis. Both are now continuing to build up their experience on site. Taylor is part of the Lovell team replacing 1950s PRC bungalows with 111 new two- and three-bedroom homes at the Taran Estate in East Park, Wolverhampton, as part of a £13 million scheme for Bromford Housing Group. Garreth is working on a £13 million mixed tenure development at Tipton, Dudley, where Lovell is creating 109 homes, including 30 affordable homes, for Black Country Housing Group. On site, the pair are closely supervised by qualified tradespeople with Lovell craft training supervisor John Gamsby acting as their training mentor and overseeing their progress. “I had no idea that I’d been nominated for the award and it was a total shock when my name was read out,” explains Taylor. “It did take a while for it to sink in that I’d actually won but I’m absolutely delighted. There are so many talented apprentices working for Lovell, so to be chosen ahead of them makes me very proud.” Michele Campbell, neighbourhood investment manager for Bromford Group, says: “It’s a delight to have such a high achiever on one of our sites. We try to have as many educational and training opportunities as possible on our regeneration schemes providing employment for local people. We’re really pleased that Taylor has done so well – he’s an excellent example to show others what can be achieved.” “I’m really enjoying the job – it’s great to be working with experienced bricklayers and I’m finding that I’m learning new skills from them every day,” says Garreth. “They’ve given me lots of great advice which I know will stand me in good stead for the rest of my career.” Sharon Fereday, head of development for Black Country Housing Group, says: “We are delighted that Garreth has won this major award. Providing opportunities and training for young people to enter the construction industry is vital and it is great to see Garreth put his skills to the test with the construction of our new affordable homes in Dudley. We wish him every success.” |
Apprentice carpenter Taylor Canavan, who lives in Quinton, Oldbury, has been selected by Lovell as the company’s Apprentice of the Year for the Midlands region. Trainee bricklayer Garreth James, from Hill Top, West Bromwich, received the award for Personal Achiever of the Year.