 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sign up for our monthly news
letter. |
|
|
| |
|
| The
industry’s brightest and most promising apprentices have
been honoured at the National Construction College’s annual
graduation ceremony, held at the College’s East campus in
King’s Lynn, Norfolk. |
 |
|
The NCC, which is the largest
construction training provider in Europe, helped more than
260 students to achieve their apprenticeship frameworks this
month, with 17 apprentices being singled out at the NCC East
ceremony for being at the top of their trade. |
|
The awards, which are in their
11th year, celebrate the achievements of the Colleges’
apprentices, whilst demonstrating the expert skill and
determination that they possess to their peers, families and
the business community. |
|
Nearly 500 people attended the
celebration, including industry representatives such as
ConstructionSkills Chairman James Wates, and National
Construction College Director Andy Walder, in addition to
the deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Kings Lynn, Trevor and
Coral Manley. |
|
James Wates opened the ceremony
by welcoming the guests and commending the apprentices and
college lecturers for their continued hard work, ambition
and strength of mind. Guest speaker, Olympic medallist Kriss
Akabusi, also captivated the audience with tales of his rise
to success, through his career as an outstanding sportsman,
television personality, businessman and charity founder.
|
|
Kent-based Jason Cade, 21, who
is a plant mechanics apprentice with Carrier Rental Systems
UK Ltd, took home the top accolade of Apprentice of the
Year, which was sponsored by CSCS, in addition to the title
of Top Plant Mechanics Apprentice. |
|
As well as recognising practical
and technical expertise, the awards also celebrate the
skills which form an integral part of site life and success.
Patrick Cooney, 24, from London and an apprentice with
Grounds Construction, received the Health and Safety award,
which was sponsored by Skanska and recognises a commendable
commitment to ensuring health and safety is a priority at
all times. The Key Skills award, sponsored by Sodexo in
recognition of effort in the literacy and numeracy sections
of the apprenticeship, was presented to 23-year old Adam
Vero, from Norwich, who is a General Construction apprentice
with NR11 Groundworks and Civil Engineering. |
|
As the training division of
ConstructionSkills, the NCC provides training to up to
30,000 apprentices and adult learners each year. National
Construction College Director, Andy Walder, said:
“Apprentices are the life blood of our industry and it is
essential that we ensure excellent training and support is
available to these bright and enthusiastic recruits who want
to be part of our industry. We are very proud of our
students and what they have achieved. These awards are a
great way of celebrating this and set a benchmark for other
trainees, as well as making their employers proud.” |
|
CITB-ConstructionSkills
Chairman, James Wates, said: “These young people should be
extremely proud of what they have achieved, as we certainly
are. It is important to acknowledge the contribution they
are making as they will make up the future of the
construction industry, so it’s great to know that they are
setting off on a good footing. |
|
“Although the industry is still
facing challenging times, the long term forecast looks
encouraging and we expect to see moderate recovery next
year. We are also preparing for many new challenges,
particularly around the low carbon agenda, which is why the
work of our Future Skills Unit – which will ensure the
industry has the qualifications it needs to meet the
challenges of the future – is so essential. |
|
“These new recruits will be an
integral part of this low-carbon future and through the work
of our Future Skills Unit, we’ll be helping to ensure that
they have all the qualifications and skills they need to
thrive.” |
|
