Star apprentice is hired by George Wimpey East Anglia

Hard-working apprentice Dale Smith is looking forward to a career with leading house-builder George Wimpey East Anglia after picking up a string of awards during his training.

The 22-year-old, who has just completed a three-year apprenticeship, teamed practical experience at George Wimpey’s Kingsbury Grange development in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds with technical and building regulations training at West Suffolk College’s School of Construction.

During his apprenticeship, high-flying Dale received East Anglian Brick Laying Apprentice of the Year award two years in succession, and was judged to be the Best Regional Apprentice for all the construction trades.

He also represented West Suffolk College at the annual Suffolk Show and was judged to have built the ‘best wall’ combined with an excellent demonstration to visitors of good working practices, and he’s been nominated for an East of England Apprenticeship Award, to be announced in October.

“I wasn’t too sure what I was going to do when I left school,” explains Dale, “but I was encouraged to approach George Wimpey, which has its regional offices in Bury St Edmunds, and after sending in my CV and having various interviews, I was taken on as an apprentice.”

Since joining the company, Dale, who lives in Ringshall near Stowmarket, has helped to build around 300 new two, three and four-bedroom houses at the popular development, where only a handful of homes now remain for sale.

“The most satisfying part of the job is seeing the end result,” adds Dale. “I love working on site, and seeing the homes rise up gives you a real sense of achievement.”

With his apprenticeship completed, Dale has been invited to work in the various different departments at George Wimpey East Anglia’s regional offices, including Land and Planning and Customer Care, so that he can learn more about the company.

The final homes on sale at Kingsbury Grange, which Dale has helped to build, include two-bedroom coach houses from £129,995, three-bedroom houses starting at £174,995 and a four-bedroom, three-storey family home priced from £309,995.

Kingsbury Grange enjoys a good location within easy reach of Bury St Edmunds town centre, with its traditional market and peaceful cathedral gardens, and new Arc retail and leisure quarter featuring a flagship Debenhams department store and 35 big-name shops and restaurants.

Closer still, a convenience store, post office, pub and restaurant are within easy walking distance, while a choice of supermarkets are located close by.

Kingsbury Grange Sales Centre is located off Mount Road, Bury St Edmunds and open on Mondays from 1pm to 5pm, then daily from 10am to 5pm, or log on to georgewimpey.co.uk for more details.