Top apprentice taps into Redrow's success
A trainee plumber based in Farnborough has won the coveted title of Redrow’s apprentice of the year.
Second year apprentice Daniel Harris, 21, from Portsmouth, scooped the national award after impressing his employers while working towards an NVQ Level 3 in plumbing and his technical certificate.
Based at Redrow’s Farnborough Central development, Daniel is relishing gaining on the job experience, and combines this with classroom-based learning at Eastleigh College, in Southampton.
He said: “It was a nice surprise to win the award and I didn’t expect it at all. I’m pleased to be learning a trade as it’s a valuable asset to have in today’s job market. It’s been great to gain on the job experience while working towards a qualification. I actually prefer the work on site to learning in the classroom.”
Daniel was taken on by housebuilder Redrow two years ago, at a time when many firms were cutting back on investment in training during the economic downturn. He added: “I’d applied for several apprenticeships and one had fallen through the previous year, so I went to college for a year and then tried again. I was very grateful to be given the opportunity be Redrow.”
Based at Farnborough Central he is helping to transform a site with great historical significance. Redrow is redeveloping part of the former Royal Aircraft Establishment and Daniel is gaining a wide breadth of experience, as the development includes a mix of conversion apartments and new build homes.
Redrow is committed to training youngsters in a variety of trades, and offers apprenticeships in bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, as well as plumbing; combining on site experience and college based training to secure industry-recognised NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualifications. The group currently employ 54 apprentices with a further 20 due to start in August throughout England and Wales.
Richard Beadsmoore, training manager for Redrow said: “Apprentices are key to the future of the housebuilding industry and we believe it’s important to recognise the achievements of outstanding individuals.
“Daniel is a credit to the company and the award is well-deserved for the hard work, additional effort and enthusiasm he has shown over the past two years. It is very pleasing to see all our trainees beginning to develop into skilled craftsmen and women, and I would congratulate all of those who have performed impressively but didn't quite make it into the award positions.
“All our apprentices gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to fulfil a career in the housebuilding and construction industry. It is a job with good future prospects, whether self-employed in their chosen trade, running their own business or progressing within the sector to eventually become a site manager and beyond.”
Redrow’s recruitment window for 2011 will close shortly, however further information is available at redrowplc.co.uk, where interested parties can register their interest in future apprenticeship opportunities.
