Huge congratulations to Daniel Alford for being the winner of the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year Award 2024. Employed by ME Contracting Ltd and supported by local provider The Focus Training Group, Daniel is undertaking an Advanced Level 3 in Installation and Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship.

Whilst attending the Building Plymouth Early Careers Fair in March 2022, Daniel met ME Contracting and then attended an interview hosted by the employer at Skills Launchpad Plymouth. After being offered the opportunity, Daniel’s apprenticeship journey began in September 2022, and it was clear from the beginning that he had the right work ethic and positive attitude needed to succeed. He has consistently displayed outstanding achievements in his technical examinations, having passed all exams to date with a distinction! Nominated by Brendon Houghton, Director of ME Contracting Ltd, Daniel has been described as showing exceptional personal qualities and work skills, making him a very well-liked and valued member of the team.

Brendon said: “From the outset it was clear that Dan had some standout qualities which we knew would form great foundations for his future career. We employed Dan not just with a view to him completing an apprenticeship and becoming an electrician, but with the potential to develop much further as the MEC business grows.” It is these qualities and positive attitude that has enabled Daniel to be involved with several high-profile projects, including the construction of a new High Voltage substation for Derriford Hospital, and two community initiatives, installing LED lighting for a community swimming pool, and sourcing and distributing food for the Plymouth Foodbank Oasis Project.

For his role in the substation at the hospital, Daniel was highly commended by both the on-site team and the client for its quality and the way it was completed. Daniel showed an eagerness to work on all projects, showing his commitment to learning and willingness to succeed. Daniel is also excelling with the technical element of his learning, transferring this to his work on site, where he can pick up new skills very quickly.

In his latest college learner review, Dan’s tutor reported that he is showing an excellent understanding and has excellent timekeeping and attendance. Brendon continued: “Dan’s commitment to learning and development has been clear throughout his time with us, and it has been a pleasure for all of us at MEC to work alongside Dan. He is well deserving of this award.”

Here’s what Daniel had to say: “From first meeting my employer ME Contracting at the Building Plymouth Early Careers Fair in 2022 to today, I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship hands-on experience and training provided d by Focus Training. Thank you for the recognition and I hope winning this award provides a springboard for my career.”

A huge congratulations to Elijah Bennett for winning the prestigious Building Plymouth Construction Technical Apprentice of the Year Award 2024.

Employed by the innovative service Shared Apprenticeships and hosted by Kier Construction with Exeter College, Elijah is undertaking a Higher Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship.

Nominated by Emma Tate, Head of Shared Apprenticeships at Shared Apprenticeships, Elijah has been described as showing outstanding work and great skill. Emma said: “Elijah deserves to win this award because he has a genuine commitment to the industry – it is not just a job. His passion for the industry is routinely demonstrated through his resilience and excellent work ethic and he has ensured that he has made the most of all the opportunities given to him at work.”

Starting his apprenticeship during the Covid-19 pandemic, Elijah was put to the test from day one as his site manager was off for two weeks isolating with the infection. Nonetheless, Elijah showed excellent initiative and at once stepped up to the plate! He was on hand to the support the team straight away, and within a few days, he was helping to issue drawings to sub-contractors, managing the labourers’ workloads and helping the other manager with health and safety supervision. Even when the country was slowing down and the industry was struggling through the pandemic, Elijah was determined to make the most of the opportunity his apprenticeship provided, to turn up on site and succeed.

Working for Shared Apprenticeships and attending Exeter College throughout, Elijah has had considerable experience working on multiple projects and never wavered in his commitment to make a success of his apprenticeship and demonstrate the skills needed to succeed. As part of his role, Elijah delivers inductions to young trainees and apprentices as well as mature and highly experienced sub-contractors, helping to inspire the new ones and reassure anyone who may have concerns or questions.

Having not been in the industry for that long, he is able to empathise and support others when it is needed. With his proactive attitude and strong work ethic, it’s not hard to see why he has been awarded Apprentice of the Month and featured in two social media posts by Shared Apprenticeships. As host contractor, Doug Lloyd, Regional Director at Kier Construction said: “I am delighted Elijah’s commitment and development over the past two years has been recognised by this award. He has made a fantastic start to his career and is also taking every opportunity to give back to other apprentices following in the same path as himself.” Elijah is also involved in Plymouth’s BPART initiative, which brings together local apprentices who are working within the Building Plymouth network to enhance their apprenticeship experience whilst helping to create new professional relationships. He has readily accessed the workshops and sessions and enjoyed being able to meet like-minded people who are also starting out in the construction industry. It is easy to see why this “well-rounded apprentice” has won this award.

Upon receiving the award, Elijah said “Thank you for the award, it is an honour to be recognised. Thank you to both Kier Construction and Shared Apprentices for support during my apprenticeship journey. I look forward to the future and developing within my career."

A huge congratulations to Jake Smith for being Highly Commended in The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year Awards 2024.

Jake’s learning journey started in August 2021, and he successfully completed his Intermediate Level 2 Apprenticeship in Roofing and Tiling in August 2023, having been employed by Western Counties Roofing, and supported by Greenlight Training.

Nominated by Tatiana Fernandez, Regional Social Value Manager for Countryside Partnerships South West, Part of Vistry Group, Jake is described as “having a thirst for knowledge and an eagerness to learn.”

Tatiana said: “Throughout his apprenticeship journey, Jake has demonstrated unwavering dedication, exemplary skills, and a fervent commitment to the roofing industry.”

It is his commitment and dedication that is now seeing Jake training to move into a supervisory position, having expressed a desire to progress his career in the industry which will involve undertaking further qualifications. Throughout Jake’s apprenticeship, there has been a unified theme of strong work ethic, effective communication, and a professional attitude.

Matt O’Connor, Senior Site Manager at Sherford Bovis said: “Beyond his technical skills, Jake has also displayed excellent teamwork and communication abilities. Jake has seamlessly integrated into our construction team the ‘Sherford family,’ collaborating effectively with colleagues, and demonstrating a positive and professional attitude.”

Lee Dixon, Supervisor at WCR said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside and mentor Jake, and I have no doubt that he will excel as a highly skilled roofer.”

With such positive comments regarding his work, attitude, and professionalism, it is not hard to see why Jake has been highly commended.

Jake said: “I would like to thank Western Counties Roofing for this opportunity especially my colleagues Lee Dixon for teaching me from the start and Lee Pawley for helping me practice my skills from site. This apprenticeship has given me the chance to gain some valuable work experience in roofing and earn while I learn.”

A huge congratulations to Lily Frewin for being Highly Commended for the prestigious Building Plymouth Construction Technical Apprentice of the Year Award 2024.

In September 2023, Lily completed her Higher Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship, after working for Morgan Sindall and training with South Devon College over three years. Nominated by Gareth Parsons, Business Solutions Lead at South Devon College, Lilly is described as “a team player, confident and well organised.” Gareth said: “Lily has passion to learn and is never afraid to ask questions.” From the beginning, Lily has shown that her work is more than just a job. She will take on board any challenge requested and more often will volunteer for other activities as she sees this as a benefit to enhance her own career development, and help with the team she works with, at Devonport 9 Dock project.

Lily has contributed as part of the team in delivering BREEAM on a project, by showing good site management and environmental record keeping. She supported the team in delivering the in house 10 tonne carbon challenge, saving 152 tonnes of carbon – equivalent to heating 56 homes in the UK for a full year!

Gareth said: “Lily shows a broad knowledge of our industry where she treats safety as her number one priority. Lily also aids our more senior team members in completing important on-site inspections using our in-house recording tool. She is a valuable member of our team.” Lily has also attended Building Plymouth Aspirational Rising Talent (BPART) Network sessions, taking along a new member of staff to help build their confidence and connect with other local apprentices in trade and technical roles. It’s not hard to see why Lily is Highly Commended!

Upon receiving her award, Lily said: “I’m really grateful to be highly commended! My apprenticeship has really boosted my confidence and improved my skills.”

A huge congratulations to Harrison Elliot for being Highly Commended for the prestigious Building Plymouth Construction Technical Apprentice of the Year Award 2024.

Employed by Currie & Brown whilst studying with the University of the West of England Bristol, Harrison is currently undertaking a Degree Level 6 Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management apprenticeship.

Nominated by Chris Kent, Director of Currie & Brown, Harrison has been described as a real asset to the team, eager and proactive. Chris said: “Harrison is diligent, hardworking, professional yet approachable and has an extremely good grasp of what is required of a ‘model employee’ and consistently provides it.”

As a new member to the Currie & Brown team, Ian Smith received assistance from Harrison on one of his first projects supporting quantity surveying, contract administration and it soon became clear to Ian that Harrison’s contractual knowledge and robust practical approach meant that he could run the project. Ian said: “Whilst I am still involved in an overseeing capacity, Harrison is now running the project in an extremely proactive and professional manner.”

Harrison has also worked with Aiden Irving, Associate Director, on a car park reconfiguration at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Initially sitting in on meetings and helping, Harrison quickly showed a proactive approach, raising queries with the client and designers, actively finding solutions to problems that had arisen.

Aiden said: “Harrison’s eagerness and proactiveness has meant that he ended up taking a lead on the RIBA stage two presentation to the key stakeholders at the Trust, including running through the report and fielding questions.” Becky Freeman, Senior Building Surveyor at University of Exeter worked with Harrison in a role that saw him working as a cost consultant. She said “He was efficient and had particularly good attention to detail. He was always responsive to my queries, providing answers promptly.”

With a positive attitude to his own work and engaging with others, whilst also promoting the value of a degree apprenticeship, it is not hard to see why Harrison has received this highly commended award.

Here’s what Harrison had to say “I feel extremely privileged to have received this highly commended award. I feel I have benefitted from the degree apprenticeship process, being able to apply my learning to day-to-day work with Currie & Brown.

A huge congratulations to Ysabella for being Highly Commended in The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year Awards 2024.

Ysabella is currently undertaking an Intermediate Level 2 Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship with The Bell Group and City College Plymouth. Her apprenticeship journey began in October 2021 where she successfully made the transition from being a full-time student on the Level 1 Diploma in Painting and Decorating course at the College, to an apprenticeship, working for the largest painting and decorating contractor in the UK.

Nominated by Syd Dart, Lecturer at City College Plymouth, Ysabella is described as “a pleasure to teach, with a good nature and mature attitude, as well as a positive role model to other female apprentices.” Syd said: “Bella is very committed to her apprenticeship, and the contribution that she has made to her employer, as well as promoting female apprentices working in the construction industry.”

It is the above qualities and attributes that have seen her support high profile projects, including the refurbishment and restoration work on Grade 1 listed properties at Buckland Abbey and Saltram House. Her willingness to attend additional days at college, undertaking extra training activities have paid off, seeing her represent both The Bell Group and City College Plymouth in prestigious competitions.

Her competition success includes first place in the junior category of the southern heat, in the Painting and Decorating Association’s Apprentice of the Year Award. She followed this up with further success coming first in the South West heat of Skillbuild 2023, at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. If that wasn’t enough, her competition success continued when she won United Kingdom’s Junior Painting and Decorating Apprentice of the Year for 2023.

It is not hard to see why Ysabella is considered Highly Commended by Building Plymouth! Syd said: “Her work ethic and commitment can only be commended and coupled with her skills, natural ability and enthusiasm to succeed; Bella is fully deserving of this award.”