Wellingborough apprentice scoops award for excellence

Enthusiasm, hard work and commitment from William Li, a carpentry apprentice with Persimmon Homes Midlands has led to the 22 year old being announced as local winner of the company’s internal ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award scheme, for the second year running.

Now in its fifth year, Persimmon’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ contest aims to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the company’s ever growing number of apprentices, a figure which currently stands at 290 across 24 regional offices. All second and third year Persimmon apprentices are eligible to enter whether they specialise in bricklaying, carpentry or any other core discipline. The employee to emerge triumphant will be awarded the top prize of £1,000, whilst also being crowned Apprentice of the Year 2007.

William, who is studying carpentry at Moulton College in Northampton, is in the third and final year of his apprenticeship and, in order to gain on the job training, is currently working alongside skilled tradesmen and contractors at Persimmon’s Harrowden Park development in Wellingborough.

Don Mason, construction director for Persimmon Homes Midlands was quick to congratulate William when he presented him with a certificate to commemorate his win. He said: “I am delighted that William was won the Midlands ‘Apprentice of the Year’ title for the second year running. William has continually progressed throughout his time with us. His quality of workmanship is outstanding, he is a popular member of the team and I have every confidence that he will fulfil his career ambition to become a site manager.”

William’s tutor at Moulton College, Roger Kent, added: “Will is a motivated person who applies logic and commonsense to all the tasks that he undertakes. Over the last year, he has worked hard on all aspects of his college course and made good progress in both theory and practical work.”

William’s success will be further celebrated when he joins the directors of his company for dinner in September. He also now progresses to the regional stage of the competition with the chance of winning vouchers to the value of £250 to spend on tools, and if successful, he will then be entered into the grand final. Persimmon’s Apprentice of the Year 2007 will be announced during October to coincide with National Construction Week (8th – 12th October).

The ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards form part of Persimmon’s continuous programme of activity aimed at encouraging young people into the house building industry.

The company has launched a number of initiatives over the past five years under its award-winning ‘Homing in on Opportunity’ programme, aimed primarily at 14-16 year olds. These have included a popular Careers Manual which was praised by The Department of Education, teachers and pupils alike for its clear job descriptions, real life case studies and national curriculum based tasks, careers posters and a Graduate Award scheme.

For details regarding career opportunities with Persimmon Homes, please visit persimmonhomes.com and click on the recruitment link.

Persimmon Homes Midlands is one of the 25 operating companies of Persimmon Homes Plc. The region currently has developments in Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

For further information about Persimmon developments across the region, visit Persimmonhomes.com.