Member Article

Apprentice cements reputation for success

A young construction worker is climbing the ladder to success after winning New College Durham’s Apprentice of the Year Award for the second time running.

Ambitious Liam Harrison began working for housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat four years ago as an Apprentice Joiner and has already begun his assent to the top.

Now a Trainee Site Manager, the 21 year old is building the foundations for his future by taking further exams at the college as well as putting in the hours on site.

“I joined Keepmoat straight from college and the company has supported me every step of the way,” said Liam who lives in Sherburn Hill, County Durham.

Liam received his Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice of the Year Award for the second time last month at New College Durham, where he has been a student for five years.

“I am now at college one day a week studying to be a Site Manager. There are many more exams to take and I eventually want to work my way up to director level,” said Liam.

Liam is already putting his skills and knowledge to the test on Keepmoat’s Westside Park development in Fenham where he works under the direction of Site Manager Darran Milne.

Darran said: “Liam is being challenged at every turn. This is an incredibly busy site and we have to work together to make sure everything runs like clockwork. He is doing a great job and it really helps that he understands how a site works.

“Liam’s knowledge and enthusiasm make him one of Keepmoat’s best ever apprentices.”

Keepmoat currently has 18 apprentices in the North East and approximately 110 on sites across the country. Around the same number are employed as technical apprentices working in Keepmoat’s regional offices.

Lesley Hibbins, Apprentice Coordinator, said: “We support our apprentices in every way possible. We have had a number of our apprentices go on to become Site Managers or Quantity Surveyors, and there is no doubt that with hard work and determination, Liam can reach the top.”

It’s not just Liam who is proving popular on site; only three properties remain at the Westside Park development in Fenham. The site provides buyers with a range of different house types including three bedroom homes starting at £123,196 on the new Help to Buy scheme (£153,995 normal price).

The Help to Buy scheme offers buyers who have saved a 5% deposit the chance to take advantage of a five-year interest free loan covering 20% of the value of the property. The remaining 75% of the property’s value will be funded through a mortgage, which Keepmoat can help buyers to arrange.

For more information on Westside Park, please visit the show home at Friars Way, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3EX between 10.00am and 5.00pm Thursday to Monday. Alternatively, please call 0191 271 4101 or visit www.keepmoat.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hazel Rycroft .