September saw three new apprentice bricklayers – Luke Morgan, Tom Hardman, and Jack Hooper, all aged 16 – and one apprentice carpenter, Henry Adams, join the hugely successful scheme offered by Lovell in its Midlands region.
Lovell apprenticeships cover all areas of the business, from building homes to refurbishment and maintenance. The scheme allows individuals to ‘earn while they learn’, and all apprentices are given a coach and a mentor to support them through the two-year programme, which results in a qualification and significant on-the-job experience.
Henry, 20, of Telford, said: “I’ve wanted to start a career in construction since I left school, as I like working outdoors and being hands-on. When the opportunity came to obtain an apprenticeship with Lovell, I jumped at it having heard great things from friends who have experience with Lovell.
“I have really enjoyed it so far; I’ve been working with some very knowledgeable carpenters who are constantly showing me new things and letting me get stuck in with the job. In my first few months, I have enjoyed learning the kitchen-fitting side of carpentry, but I am looking forward to roofing as I look to expand my portfolio of skills further.”
All the new starters currently spend four days a week on site, with one day set aside for college, which offers practical tutoring in each specialist area coupled with numeracy and literacy skills where required. The combination of hands-on work with classroom learning ensures apprentices get a rounded education and are ‘workplace ready’ on completion of the course.
Tom, 16, of Dudley said: “Lovell offers the best way to learn by being on site, sending you to college to secure the qualifications if you haven’t got them, as well as placing you around the best people to gain knowledge and wisdom from.
“As well as learning bricklaying, I am also developing new skills every day, working within a team and working independently. I could not have asked for anything better at my age to be on site, earning money each week and learning a trade within my chosen field.”
Once the apprenticeship is complete, each candidate will be ready for a tradesperson role with Lovell or one of its subcontractors. There is also the potential to become a Lovell trainee, spending a few months in each Lovell department to get a feel for the business.
Megan Keeling is one of the newest management trainees to enter the programme, after joining Lovell as a customer care administrator. Meanwhile, Conor Watts also joined the trainee scheme after completing his carpentry apprenticeship.
Stuart Penn, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “It’s great to see our new cohort of apprentices and trainees getting stuck into their roles with us and in the coming months we will be welcoming even more fresh faces to our sites.
“By recruiting at this early-stage career level and helping participants develop their practical skills, it means we create and retain the expert teams we need and protect ourselves from construction skills gaps.
“A third of Lovell apprentices actually go on to the trainee programme, so we are really preparing for the future. It’s also an important way in which we invest in and benefit the wider community in the areas where we build, helping local people gain nationally recognised qualifications and equipping them for long-term successful careers.
“I wish all the new starters the best of luck for the future and look forward to seeing how their careers blossom, whatever path they choose to take.”
To find out more about Lovell’s careers, apprenticeships, and trainee programmes visit: Careers at Lovell Partnerships
