An apprentice scheme that began in the 1970s has been celebrated by the house builder that started the programme and the trainees it has helped into the industry.
Management at William Davis Homes, which has been building new homes in the Midlands for more than 80 years, said they were proud of the longevity of scheme.
The Loughborough business has been providing apprenticeship training and running an apprentice of the year award since the 1970s, with 19 former winners working for the business.
They include plumber Kevin Smith, who won the title in 1974 and electrican Ashley Rudd, who won the award last year.
This year around 90 people − including apprentices, their mentors, colleagues, family members and friends − gathered at the company’s HQ to celebrate the ongoing success of the scheme and the achievements of two individuals in particular; Jack Jordan, a third year apprentice joiner, who won the coveted apprentice of the year title, and runner up Joe Gardner, a third year apprentice bricklayer.
Jack, whose grandfather was a carpenter and whose father is also in the construction industry, was delighted to win the honour and says he was putting his prize money towards a new car.
Jack’s mentors are Graham Clark, Hudson Hollingworth and Chris Dakin.
Runner-up Joe Gardner said he enjoyed working on feature brickwork such as arches and his mentoring bricklaying gang are Luke Turner, Aaron Joyce and labourer Sam Walters.
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Joe is also putting his prize money towards a new car.
Speakers at the event included Keith Binns, leader of the bricklaying course at Leicester College and Jon Burton, area delivery manager for the CITB.
Both highlighted the partnership between the company and its training partners, commenting on the quality of the training WDH apprentices receive including the company’s retainment percentage of 89.7 per cent which is double the national average.
Guy Higgins, William Davis managing director, who hosted the event, said: "We’re proud to be able to provide quality apprenticeships for young people coming into construction and are grateful to our in-house trainers and mentors for their commitment to the next generation of tradespeople.
"The fact that so many choose to stay with the company after serving their time demonstrates that completing an apprenticeship can provide a long and fulfilling career."