Your chance to build a career in the construction industry

THIS week is National Apprenticeship Week – and Next Steps is back!

This year it is bigger and better than ever with not just two, but FOUR apprenticeships up for grabs from TRJ Ltd and Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

The two local building firms have teamed up with Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd – to run the annual competition.

It is open to men and women living in Carmarthenshire aged 16 and over, and it doesn’t matter about previous experience.

Candidates will spend a week at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus to undertake basic health and safety training for working on a building site; with a further five weeks of on-site work experience, where they will mentored by qualified tradesmen on a community benefit project to learn skills including carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and ground works.

Executive board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “This is an excellent opportunity for anyone to get a foot on the ladder of the construction industry, regardless of age or experience.

“The candidates will learn new skills in trades including carpentry, bricklaying and plastering, whilst working as part of a team.

“I am delighted that the council continues to be a proud partner in Next Steps.”

Now in its seventh year, the competition has provided 10 apprenticeships – and one former winner has even set up his own company.

A further 15 people have secured placements on Carmarthenshire’s Shared Apprenticeship scheme; 13 people on Pathways to Apprenticeships courses and four more have secured traditional apprenticeships.

Entries are now open, for further information and to download an application form visitwww.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk Deadline for entries is Friday, June 10.