CARPENTRY APPRENTICE SHORTLISTED FOR INDUSTRY AWARD

Image caption: An image of Joel Wilson at work

Carpentry apprentice Joel Wilson, who works for Broughton Astley company M&O Building Contractors, has been shortlisted as Apprentice of the Year as part of the 2020 Building Communities Awards.

Hosted by procurement consortium, EEM Ltd, the awards are designed to recognise and celebrate professionalism, excellence and innovation within the housing and construction community.

In the Apprentice of the Year category, the judges were looking for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their own professional development. The awards will be presented at a high-profile ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on 28 February 2020.

Joel Wilson started working with M&O nearly four years ago as a labourer. After working with various trades on site, he showed promise and was offered the opportunity to start an apprenticeship in site carpentry which he completed four months ahead of schedule.

Joel has been working alongside carpenters with a huge range of experience and this has helped him to improve. His teammates enable him to tackle tasks independently, providing advice and assistance where needed, and Joel has grown in confidence. Project managers now ask for Joel to work on their projects because he has built up a great deal of experience and knowledge since starting his studies at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

M&O has a UK-wide contract with NHS hospitals, so Joel often works away from home. The college arranged for Joel to attend classes on a block release basis. This means he is required to manage his time carefully while at the college which he achieves very well both in the library and the workshops at the college’s Wigston Campus. Joel’s dedication and effort meant that he achieved his apprenticeship in 20 months, and he has now progressed on to an advanced apprenticeship.

Joel’s college assessor Aaron Carter said, “Joel has shown a real commitment to his career and has been determined to develop his skills since starting his apprenticeship. He has gained in confidence and brings a great deal of maturity and commitment to learning his trade. Joel works very well with the extended team of trades at M&O. He has risen to the challenge of regularly working away on contracts around the country.”

Katy Urwin, Director of Apprenticeships for North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “We’re delighted that Joel has been recognised as part of the Building Communities Awards and pleased to have been able to assist M&O to grow their own talent and expand their skilled team. Joel is in great position to progress in his career and we wish him the very best of luck for the final.”

Click here to discover more about Apprenticeships at NWSLC.