Overcoming Adversity

Rebecca studied Health and Social Care at college before beginning part-time employment in servicing fittings. Rebecca was then offered full-time employment and was later offered a scaffolding Apprenticeship, which she decided to begin after giving the opportunity some consideration.

Rebecca started her scaffolding Apprenticeship and began completing her foundations and units whilst growing in confidence. It was an adjustment moving from a female-heavy Health and Social Care Course to a male-dominated working environment, and Rebecca worked hard to remain independent whilst being supported by colleagues. Rebecca’s job was made redundant during her Apprenticeship, and she was determined to find a new employer. After a period of searching for a new employer, Rebecca secured employment following a trial period at a new company and is due to complete her End Point Assessment before 2023 after two years of training.

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

Rebecca faced many challenges throughout her scaffolding Apprenticeship, from entering a male-dominated environment to losing her first role due to redundancy. Once having started her Apprenticeship, Rebecca was challenged with understanding how scaffolds go together and maintaining her independence whilst some colleagues offered to help with heavy or difficult tasks. Standing her ground and following discussions with colleagues, Rebecca was able to work through her course units and become more confident putting different types of scaffolding up and back down.

Part way through her Apprenticeship, Rebecca’s role was made redundant, which put her course at risk. Rebecca took the time to find a new employer and following a trial period, she was offered a position as a scaffolder in the organisation. Rebecca has now completed two years of training in an environment which contrasts her experience undertaking a Health and Social Care Course at college. Rebecca is confident in the workplace and is due to take her Apprenticeship End Point Assessment before 2023.

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

Rebecca has achieved certificates for her foundations, units: part 1A,1B, 2A and 2B in scaffolding. She is due to complete her End Point Assessment before 2023.

In terms of achievements, Rebecca recalls building her first job on her own whilst being supervised. She has also achieved securing employment following redundancy in her teenage years and is an inspiration to young women considering a career in scaffolding and construction.

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

Foundations in scaffolding

Units:

Part 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

I think Rebecca should be nominated for Overcoming Adversity in Construction with her experience in a male-dominated field and her experience of changing employer during an Apprenticeship.

Rebecca has had to work probably twice as hard due to her size, both being able to reach and lift.

This has never put her off and she has strived to not only achieve, but in places out do some of her male peers. She also struggled in class at first, but has gone on to pass her functional skills and the awarding bodies programmed tests, both theory and practical. When talking to some of her work colleagues, she shows the same commitment at work.

Joshua started at Burnley College on a full time plumbing course, needing to complete this and his GCSEs. Joshua has completed this and then told us at the beginning of this year that he may have an apprenticeship. Joshua went on a work placement for 4 weeks and has informed us now that he has an apprenticeship.

Joshua has shown great improvement since starting this course, having to pass 10 exams over two years and has been one of the best learners over the two years.

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

Joshua has had a few challenges  this year with his parent passing away during summer. Although this happened and he is now living on his own he has still carried on with his course and shown commitment to the course and his attendance has not dropped. He has shown he really wants to be a plumber by gaining an apprenticeship.

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

Joshua has had certain struggles within the field, he will admit that he has had to work really hard to complete his theory and practical exams, however very rarely needed any resits.

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

Although he lost his mum, he didn’t ask for any help with this and believe that this learner will become a very good plumber.

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

Joshua deserves this award based on his work over the two years, although he has lost a family member, he has still shown the correct attitude towards his learning and is striving to make himself a better person.

George joined the company just over 12 months ago as a trainee engineering surveyor. He joined the company whilst simultaneously completing his HNC in Construction and the Built Environment.

George had little knowledge of the surveying world and had primarily been working with his Grandad landscape gardening in previous work. He entered this industry with his head up high and his ears open wide, willing to learn from anyone willing to teach.

George primarily started work on the engineering side of the company effectively as a chain-man for Senior members of staff. Assisting with setting out houses, fence lines and lifting manholes as examples.

He managed two days at college and three days on site trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

George was always facing an uphill challenge to be able to properly learn & understand the surveying world whilst being at college for two days a week on a course that isn’t directly survey related. So, taking in information was always going to be a challenge whilst dipping in and out of college work.

Site engineering is a complicated field to master at the best of times, so having less exposure initially to this meant that George made a slower start than the company expected. However, he knuckled down and managed to really push on towards the final stretch of last year.

This is also paired with the fact he had little to no computer program skills. Learning programs such as N4ce and CAD was a challenge that George had to learn & overcome in order to truly understand his field.

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

George was Employee of the Month in December for consistent hard work and ‘graft’ when working with his peers.

George has recently completed a topographical survey from start to finish including processing the drawing and publishing it ready for the client.

George has gained his CSCS card.

George completed a measured building survey.

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

George has really overcome initial challenges and adversity to really kick on and achieve some great things the last few months. His knowledge and problem solving is starting to make me think twice and I’ve been doing this for 10 years! – Dan Bagnall, Senior Engineer

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

George has really overcome not only some professional challenges, but personal challenges in the last year. Whilst he had a wobbly start to his career with us, he has really taken on board feedback and overcome problems to succeed!

Piers came to Burnley college from school and his grade profile was below expectations for someone to achieve the Level 3 Electrical installation apprenticeship or even to meet the criteria to start on the full time course . Piers put a heartfelt plea to the team to be allowed on to the programme and that he would work hid hardest to achieve his GCSEs . The decision was made to support Piers as he was determined to achieve .  To his credit and a great reward to our department given the faith shown in him Piers worked extremely hard and achieved grade 4s in both maths and English , following this he went on to gain both Level 1 & 2 in Electrical . Then to show his real ability he went on to achieve a full level 3 qualification , a massive journey in a 3 year period .  Furthermore Piers worked alongside his stepfather learning his trade , financing himself awhile undertaking his academic studies . The icing on the cake is that Piers potential was spotted by a local employer Avon electrical and is now working full time as an apprentice electrician .  In summary Piers worked hard and refused to give in to any obstacles in the way of realising his dreams .

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

Piers refused to give up despite leaving school without the relevant qualifications

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

No useful qualifications to a Level 3 qualification and full employment as an apprentice in a 4 year period

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

GCSE Level 4 English and Maths

Level 3 Electrical Installation

Working as an apprentice to become a fully qualified electrician

Positive feedback from both tutors and employers.

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

I feel Piers should receive this award as most people would have given up given the magnitude of the task . He also remained positive and upbeat throughout the process . A fantastic example of what a person can achieve given the right support and personal attitude.

George started with Oldham college as an apprentice, his employer did not allow him time to come to college for his course and was also being bullied by work colleges, this resulted in George loosing his job and transferring from the Apprenticeship to full time student. George was months behind other students and put so much effort into his studies that he soon was the best student in the class, this has lead to him getting good results in his Electrical installation course. I am proud and  to put George forward for this award and wish him all the luck for the future.

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

Please see above

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

George has chosen Electrical installation as his carrier path and has made giant leaps forward since becoming a full time student even though he started several months after other students. He quickly caught up on his studies but then surpassed other students resulting in George getting good results in the electrical exams/assessments.

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

I am (Gary Bingham) George’s tutor at Oldham college and have been so impressed that I have put him forward for this award. George has been doing the 8202-02 technical award in Electrical installation and has achieved good marks in his synoptic section of the award, we are still waiting the result of the on-line exam taken in April but expect him to do well as he was achieving 90% + on mock papers.

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

“George has Suffered in a work environment and carried on pushing forward to achieve his dreams, he is now well on track to progress to a T level course. This has been because George has put so much personal effort into what he wants to achieve.

He is a wonderful student and I wish him all the luck for the future.”

Manufacturing timber items for specialist, bespoke quality joinery projects  with H & S Joinery.

2# Provide information which will help the judges understand the challenges, problems, and scope of the nominee’s area of activity.

During his first year of studying Ben was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer of the throat and due to this he had to take time away from his studies and work to undergo various treatments. Thankfully, Ben is on the road to recovery and has returned to both his studies and his work. He is producing a high standard of work whilst in College workshops and is  proving to be a valuable asset to his employer.

Despite all he has had to overcome, Ben is very driven in both his work and studies. Not only this, but he is also a great character to be around, with both his tutor and employer attesting that his playful ‘joker’ attitude provides  a lift in morale for anyone who works alongside him.

3# Describe the nominee’s exceptional achievements or contributions in his/her chosen field.

Having overcome his illness, Ben is now devoting all his energies to succeeding within his field, and consistently produces a high standard of work. Both his tutor and employer have described him as a valuable asset to the industry, and H&S Joinery, as well as a great character who raises the spirits of those around him. He is now a Level 3 Joiner, producing work to a very high standard. Ben is working to  put the trauma of his illness behind him and move forward with his passion towards a successful career within the Joinery industry.

4# List public statements for employers, college lecturers, external bodies/authorities, and awards that affirm the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

Both Ben’s tutor and his employer commented on his spirit and character that he has shown throughout the whole ordeal he has been through.

5# Summarise why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected as a CDA Award Winner within this space.

Ben is more than deserving of an award for overcoming adversity. In the face of a terrible, life altering disease, Ben unbelievably managed to keep his spirits high and through gruelling treatments managed to stay connected with his tutor and assessor and never let his work slip. He is now producing work to a professional standard, is a valuable asset to his employer and is a charismatic young man who puts a smile on the face of everyone who has the pleasure to work alongside him. After all he has been through, he has shown real tenacity and determination to come out the other side with the success that he has and for this, we believe he is certainly deserving of this accolade.