FOUR teenagers are starting their construction careers after each winning a two-year paid apprenticeship with local construction firms Lloyd & Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd.
Rhys Williams, aged 16, from Llanelli, and Iwan Evans, aged 16, from Pwll, have both been taken on by Lloyd & Gravell; Declan Pugh, aged 17, from Llanelli, and Jamie Tanner, aged 17, from Glanamman, will work for TRJ, having been crowned winners of Next Steps 2016.
Next Steps is an annual competition that gives anyone aged 16 or over, and living in Carmarthenshire, the chance to compete for apprenticeship in the construction industry.
It is run by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership made up of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property section, Coleg Sir Gâr and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd (CCTAL).
Ten candidates have been competing throughout the summer, working on local construction projects to benefit the community alongside qualified tradesmen and taking part in weekly skills challenges.
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.
Speaking at the winners’ ceremony, Carmarthenshire’s Director of Environment said: “Next Steps is one of several projects developed by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together partners as part of our efforts to create opportunities for people, businesses and communities.
“The competition is now in its seventh year, and we are very proud of the success it has enjoyed – not only in terms of opportunities for all those that have taken part – but also the wider publicity it has generated for apprenticeships and training opportunities in the local construction industry.
“I would like to thank the candidates for the enthusiasm and commitment that they have shown. I am sure they will all go on and do well. I’d also like to give a very big thank you to TRJ Ltd and Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, who – once again – have put so much in to this project.”
Kevin Gravell, Director of Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Iwan and Rhys on board. They both impressed us during the competition process, showing that they were keen to work and learn, and we could quickly see that they would fit in well with our team at Lloyd & Gravell.
“I would like to say that it was very difficult to choose the winners; all 10 candidates showed commitment, enthusiasm, dedication and a willingness to learn, and importantly they also worked very well as a team. I am sure they will all do well in the future.”
Iwan said: “I am looking forward to starting in September. It has been an amazing experience and it has been great to meet everyone.”
Rhys said: “I have really enjoyed, it has been such a good experience. To have the chance to do it and then to secure an apprenticeship, I am over the moon.”
Owain Jones, Director of TRJ Ltd, said: “Both Jamie and Declan will be a great asset to our team at TRJ, and we look forward to welcoming them into the team at TRJ. Jamie has shown great commitment and drive, and Declan has
shown great skill over the last few weeks. I want to say well done to all the candidates, they are all winners.”
Jamie said: “I am really pleased to have won the apprenticeship; I am determined to get my head down and work hard. I am also really proud of everything we have achieved.”
Declan said: “I am over the moon; I am looking forward to working with TRJ and learning new skills. I am also looking forward to the independence. It has been fantastic.”
The candidates worked on two community projects, an outdoor recreation are at Llys Y Bryn care home in Llanelli, and refurbishing Cwmaman paddling pool for locals to enjoy once again.
The four winners from 2016 take the total number of Next Steps apprenticeships offered over the last seven years to 17.
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:
“I would like to congratulate the winners, who thoroughly deserve their success, and also the runners up, who – although they haven’t won today – are still very much winners in their own right. All these candidates have given up their summer to work for free – and that says a huge amount about their commitment to their future careers.
“Next Steps is one of our flagship training and apprenticeship projects which not only provides great opportunities for individuals like these boys, but also for local businesses and communities. We are fortunate that in Carmarthenshire – despite severe cuts to our budgets – that we are still able to invest heavily in our homes, schools and leisure facilities.
“It is wonderful to see that as part of the project we have also been able to give something back to the community. The outdoor recreation area will make such a difference to residents at Llys Y Bryn; and the paddling pool at Cwmaman is open once again for locals to enjoy.”
For further information, visit www.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk
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