Apprentice competition deadline looms

AS Lord Alan Sugar launches his popular TV show The Apprentice on to our screens for the seventh series , people living in Carmarthenshire are being reminded of our very own search to find a new apprentice.

 The deadline is looming for those who want to be in the running to land a two-year minimum paid construction apprenticeship with Llanelli-based building company Lloyd and Gravell Ltd.

 Next Steps is being run in partnership by Lloyd and Gravell, the council’s Property Services division, Coleg Sir Gar and Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd (CCTAL).

The competition is open to men and women, aged 16 or over and living in Carmarthenshire.

Candidates will be put through six weeks of on-site construction training and will be set challenges with rewards and forfeits to test their ability to learn new skills.

  A winner will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Parc Y Scarlets in August, and they will start their first day ‘on the job’ just days later.

The apprenticeship is full-time and paid for a minimum of two years.

Kevin Gravell, a director at Lloyd and Gravell Ltd, said: “This competition gives local people a unique chance to compete for a job in a difficult employment market.

“We ran the competition for the first time last year and the winner, Iwan Thomas, is still employed with us and progressing well.

“We’re really looking forward to running it again this year and putting this year’s candidates through their paces.”

Applications for the competition close at 5pm on Tuesday, May 31, with interviews planned for June.

Successfully shortlisted candidates will take part in six-weeks of on-site training with skilled tradesmen working on council houses as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard during July and August.

They will learn basic skills in trades including bricklaying, carpentry and plastering, and will take part in challenges to test their ability to learn new skills, with a series of rewards and forfeits as an incentive.

Any runners-up that really impress during the process of the competition may also be given further opportunities by other local contracting companies.

Last year’s winner, Iwan Thomas, from Brynamman, said: “Winning Next Steps has changed my life. I’m now on my way to becoming a qualified carpenter and am building a secure future for my family.”

Application forms and further information are available on Lloyd and Gravell’s website www.lloydandgravell.co.uk or on Carmarthenshire County Council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk. You can also find further information by searching for ‘Next Steps Carmarthenshire’ on Facebook or ‘NextSteps2011’ on Twitter.

Pic: Some of last year’s Next Step candidates pictured receiving one of their ‘rewards’ – a race experience day at Pembrey Race Track. Pic Jeff Connell