Young Apprentice

Oliver started at B&E Boys in February 2020 as an Apprentice Joiner. He attended Accrington College initially full time on leaving Secondary School.  On commencement of working for B&E Boys, he then a attended one day a week whilst working four days a week for Boys. He has already achieved his Level 1 and 2 in Site Carpentry.

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

Oliver started at B&E Boys in February 2020 as an Apprentice Joiner, just at the start of the Pandemic. Through difficult times he has demonstrated a willingness to learn in circumstances that were not conducive to good learning experiences, such as having to remain 2m away from colleagues, wearing PPE masks, hand sanitising, etc. Oliver took all this in his stride and was not fazed by the turmoil that was going on around him.

Working for Boys, Oliver has had to produce joinery work on a wide variety of projects from Industrial, Ecclesiastical, Commercial, Residential, Education, to Restoration and Heritage. He has relished the diversity of work and approaches each job with enthusiasm, innovation and commitment.

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

His ambition is to continue to further his career, and has already commenced Level 3 Site Joinery.

Oliver has a ‘get it right first time’ approach to all his work. On the odd occasion that a project does not go as planned, Oliver does not give up, but learns from his mistakes.

He takes advice from older colleagues, particularly our Joiner at the B&E Boys Joiners Workshop who qualified 50 years ago as an apprentice at B&E Boys. Oliver demonstrates a thirst for knowledge, not being frightened to ask questions and learn new techniques.

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

Oliver has already achieved his Level 1 and 2 in Site Carpentry and is now working towards Level 3. Although only working one day a week at Accrington College, he has kept up to date with all tasks set and successfully passed each level first time.

All B&E Boys Site Managers that have worked with Oliver would tell you that he is always punctual, arriving on site with all needed PPE, tools, and a ‘can do’ attitude. He listens to instructions, follows them and communicates clearly with colleagues.

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

Oliver Bunce is a polite, hardworking, enthusiastic young man. All whom work with him at B&E Boys would agree with this nomination as he has seamlessly integrated himself into the business on a wide variety of live working sites as well as at our Joinery Workshop. All our Site Managers would tell you that he is always punctual, arriving on site with all needed PPE, tools and a ‘can do’ attitude.

We believe that Oliver should be selected as a CDA Award Winner because he takes to same positive approach, working to his best abilities on all projects for B&E Boys.

Owen joined us 18 months ago on the back of completing his BTEC in Construction & the built environment at Burnley College. Owen didn’t have too much knowledge or experience in the world of surveying, however he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in and grab the bull by the horns. After a few months with us initially, we enrolled Owen on to a Geospatial Technician’s course down at Riverside College in Widnes, as an apprentice. This would teach him the basics of the necessary skills & knowledge required for the job whilst allowing him to get on field experience.

Owen has never shied away from upskilling himself since joining Site Surveying Services. He has achieved his Level 2 in Utility Avoidance & the Location of Buried Services in Construction, First Aid and gained his CSCS Card.

Land surveying in general requires an in depth knowledge and skill to take in & measure the world around you. From ensuring walls, to contours, to lampposts and manholes attention to detail is vital.

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

Mistakes can be made from the get go in our line of work. If your instrument isn’t set up correctly or the correct methodology isn’t followed or understood there can be massive errors within your results. Whilst 30mm might not be a lot to the lay man, 30mm is a massive thing to us. We live in a world were mm matter.

From choosing where you start your survey to end your survey may determine if you’re on site for one day or three days. Meticulous planning needs to go in to every job to ensure that it’s completed within the time frame that has been allowed.

Owen primarily worked under a Senior member of staff assisting to complete land surveys. He also has gained experience in other fields of surveying such as setting out, measured building surveys and utility mapping. He has never said no to a project and is often keen to help where possible.

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

Owen has volunteered and attended several ‘meet the employer/apprentice evenings’ encouraging other young people to get involved and show interest in our industry. Highlighting the highs and lows of working in surveying.

Owen has assisted and completed on several of the companies largest utility mapping surveys to date. Ensuring that they are finished on time and to accurate methodology.

Owen has also carried out a topographical survey and measured building survey without supervision and to company standards – on now numerous occasions.

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

Owen has been making really good progress in both his college work and seemingly his work place. I am impressed with how far he has come on in such a short period of time – Jo Hall, tutor.

CSTA Global Level 2

CSCS Card

Pro Qual Level 2 in Utility Avoidance

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

Owen came in to the job role with an open mind and little experience in this line of work. Whilst he still has some way to go, Owen has always been willing and open to taking on challenges no matter how big or small. He is a great team player and we are happy to have him on board.

Damon began working for Darwen Electrical Services Ltd back in July 2021. Joining us as an Electrical apprentice carrying out electrical works to industrial and commercial properties. Damon is now in his second year as an Electrical Apprentice with Blackburn College.

Damon has covered a wide range of work from small reactive works to 6-8 week-long complete new installations.

He is regularly requested by Electrician’s and project managers to work with them due to his quality of work and attitude.

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

Damon began working for Darwen Electrical Services Ltd back in July 2021. Joining us from another Electrical contractor, beyond Damon’s control he had to start his Electrical Apprenticeship again although he was almost 2 years in.

Damon took it in his stride as he is passionate about becoming an Electrician. Since then Damon has passed all of his units with flying colours and has been an inspiration to the other apprentices at D.E.S. He is a natural leader who is wise beyond his years, he takes pride in his work and is supportive of his peers.

The work Damon has been involved in includes long hours and working away. During the summer of 2022 he was on a 8 week long project which involved him staying away. During that time he worked long hours to ensure the project was finished on time, all whilst ensuring his college work never slipped.

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

Damon has been recognised by his peers and customers for his attitude, professionalism and quality of work.

Whenever asked to work away or on long-scale projects, Damon is eager to be involved. Sub-contractors and Project Managers have commented on Damon for his hard work and have requested him to work on future projects.

Damon is a postive person who has had a big impact on our company. He has 2 other peers in his college class who he supports and has helped progress.

We are very proud of Damon and would love to shine a bigger spotlight on all he has done for D.E.S. so far. We can’t wait to see what his future holds.

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

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

Damon is an inspiration to his colleagues. He works hard to achieve his goals and does this all whilst ensuring the highest of standards and respect for his employer.

Damon is a pleasure to work with and we see him doing fantastic things with us here at D.E.S.

We want to thank him and ensure he knows we are proud of everything he has done so far.

Anthony is a first year Painting and Decorating apprentice but he has proven to be a very naturally skilled, hard working, reliable and punctual student who is a pleasure to teach.

His work is always of the highest standard and he is the first to help and support his peers if they are having any difficulties with a piece of work.

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

N/A

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

Anthony’s work is always of a distinction profile and strives to be the best in his chosen field. He is particularly excellent at wallpapering and detailed painting. This has lead him to be nominated to represent the college at the regional Skill Build Competition in June

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

Anthony’s lecturers describe him as an outstanding student who is a pleasure to teach

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

Anthony strives to be the best in his chosen career and is always a self motivated student. In his spare time at college he is always researching  new methods and materials available within the trade.

Holly is a level 2 painter and decorator who has passed her first year and has now acquired herself an apprenticeship with Spain Building and Maintenance.

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

After spending some time working in retail, and experiencing the impact that working in a job you don’t love can have, Holly decided she wanted to do more with her life and work hard towards something that would provide her with a better future, in a field she was passionate about. This was certainly not an easy route for Holly to take, her  academic grades were not where she needed them to be as she hadn’t achieved her Maths GCSE whilst in school.

Holly was determined to succeed however and so was not put off by the propsect of having to attend GCSE Maths classes again, ensuring she turned up early every Tuesday morning, not missing a single class, and achieving  her pass in Maths (a subject that by her own admission she really struggled with). This was all done so she could start pursuing her ambitions within the Painting and Decorating industry.

Holly took a significant pay drop, giving up her wage slip and progression opportunities in retail to jump into the unknown field of a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship.

Holly understands that she is the master of her own destiny and, as such, she has set herself clear life goals and is unwaveringly sticking to them. She essentially took a huge step into the unknown to allow herself to attain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in later life.

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

Holly has had to work incredibly hard  to be where she is now in her development. Due to her various setbacks, the road to her position at Spain Building and Maintenance was certainly not easy, but she overcame the barriers in front of her with great character and fortitude. The quality of the work she is now producing is sublime and she is professional in every sense of the word. From always making sure she is early for her work placement and College lessons, to being sometimes overly critical of the products she works on. She sets an example to all her peers and has a very bright future ahead of her within the field.

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

Holly is a really nice girl, down to earth and great to have around. She is a pleasure to teach and never says no. You ask her to do anything, and it’s done, whether that be homework or extra assignments. She is on top of everything and really organised. She is willing to make mistakes to improve and is quite hard on herself, but in a good way. The way that makes her push herself to be better every day.

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

Holly simply epitomises everything that is great about the apprenticeship offering. Whilst not the most academically gifted student prior to her apprenticeship, Holly worked her socks off to realise a better version of herself and her future. She is constantly setting herself new challenges and pushes herself to be the best in everything she does. As a result, Holly has developed into a really accomplished Painter and Decorator and an incredibly professional worker who produces work of the highest standard. We are immensely proud of all she has accomplished and will certainly miss her when she undoubtedly moves on to bigger and better things. We certainly believe that some recognition for all she has accomplished in her time with us would be befitting of all her efforts.

Painter and Decorator with the Bell Group, which is one of the largest property contractors within the UK, working predominantly on housing projects.

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

Kelsey started as a full time study programme learner, with little to no practical skills. She applied herself and fought adversities to work her way through  to becoming an Apprentice with employment within a national firm.

When Kelsey graduated her full-time study programme, she and a close friend both acquired two-week work trials with Bell Group. This was a tough fortnight that would seriously test both girls fortitude and drive, with only Kelsey seeing it through to the end. After her friend quit it would have been easy for Kelsey to follow suit, however, she continued with the trial, believed in the process and is now a shining star over at Bell Group, where she is held in extremely high regard.

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

Kelsey is tough, resilient and has shown grit to get to where she is now. Despite various troubles in her placement at first, and the loss of her best friend who she had started this journey with, she stuck with it, believed in the process and is now reaping the rewards.

Kelsey was getting up at half past five every morning, to be picked up at quarter past six to be at her job for half seven. This position had her working outside in the middle of January. Despite the cold and the dark, she stuck with it and kept her spirits high. As well as this, the standard of the work she is producing is phenomenal and, as such, has resulted in Kelsey being entered into a number of national competitions.

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

From our perspective, we have seen a real positive shift in her development. On site, she is well respected and really applies herself and we recognise that she has a great future ahead of her within the industry.

Kelsey produces a very high standard of work and in terms of her progression she is well ahead of others.

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

During her time with us, Kesley has proved herself to be a strong, tenacious and hard-working character, who knows what she wants and is willing to stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Resilience is the key word that sums up Kelsey, whether it be the loss of her friend from the apprenticeship scheme leaving her on her own in an alien environment to her, or if it is waking up at half five on a cold January morning to go and do hard work outside in the dark. She has gone through it all and, despite the tribulations, is performing at an incredibly high level.

Kelsey’s employers note that, alongside seeing a real positive shift in her development, she produces a very high standard of work and in terms of her progression she is well ahead of others.