NEXT STEPS 2015 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Two teenagers are starting their construction careers after each winning a two-year paid apprenticeship with local construction firms.

Dylan Jones, of Llanelli, and Cavan McGill, of Pembrey, both aged 16, have started their apprenticeships with Lloyd & Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd this week, having been crowned winners of Next Steps 2015.

Next Steps is an annual competition that gives anyone aged 16 or over, and living in Carmarthenshire, the chance to compete for an apprenticeship with the two contractor partners.

It is run by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership made up of Carmarthenshire County Council‘s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd (CCTAL).

Five candidates have been competing throughout the summer, working on local construction projects alongside qualified tradesmen and taking part in weekly skills challenges.

Dylan, a former pupil of Coedcae School, and Cavan, a former pupil of Glan-Y-Mor, had only picked up their GCSE results the week before learning they’d won the competition.

A ceremony was held at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre, where the success of the programme was celebrated, and winners and runners-up were presented with tool bags provided by LBS Builders Merchants.

Kevin Gravell, Director of Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Dylan on board. He impressed us during the competition process in showing that he was keen top work and learn, and we could quickly see that he would fit in well with our team at Lloyd & Gravell.”

Owain Jones, Director of TRJ Ltd, said: “Cavan will be a great asset to our team at TRJ, and we look forward to mentoring him as he studies for his apprenticeship with us.”

For the first time this year, the Next Steps competition has also included opportunities for people hoping to launch their careers as painters and decorators.

Four trainees worked on a community project with TRJ decorating new classrooms at Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, and as a result of their performance all four have secured shared apprenticeships with Cyfle Building Skills. They are Leanne Simmonds, Martin Francis, Tom Francis and Kieron Griffiths.

The two winners from 2015 take the total number of Next Steps apprenticeships offered over the last five years to 10.

Another 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.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Environment, said: “As a council we continue to be proud partners in Next Steps, which aims to provide opportunities for anyone to get a foot on the ladder of the construction industry, regardless of age or experience. We wish Dylan and Cavan; Leanne, Martin, Tom and Keiron all the best as they start their apprenticeships.”

For further information, visit www.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk