Member Article

Jack becomes third generation bricklayer with Keepmoat apprenticeship

Jack Beckley is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week after following in the footsteps of his dad and granddad by training to become a bricklayer.

Eighteen-year-old Jack has become his family’s third generation of bricklayers after securing the training role with housing and regeneration specialist, Keepmoat, in November last year.

Jack, from Wordsley in Stourbridge, is learning his trade on a regeneration project to build 314 high-quality new homes at Friars Gate in Dudley.

Jack’s granddad, Tom, and his dad, David, both ran a bricklaying company in Stourbridge together.

Jack said: “I used to go and work with them when I was at school during the holidays. I loved it and got my love of the job from them.

“My dad passed away four years ago and I know he would be really proud that I have followed in his footsteps into the same trade as him. My granddad is retired now but he’s really pleased that I’ve joined him and dad in becoming a bricklayer.”

Jack added: “I just love a job where you get your hands dirty and where you create something at the same time. There’s a great feeling you get from going to work and building houses for people to live in. You get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing the end result of your work.”

“The apprenticeship has been great so far. Keepmoat has been really supportive and the people I’m working with are fantastic. I’m learning every day and the apprenticeship should set me up for life.”

During his two-year apprenticeship with Keepmoat, Jack will continue working towards an NVQ level 2 in bricklaying at Stourbridge Advanced Technology Centre. He hopes to go on to complete a HND when he finishes the course this autumn.

Jack’s college friend, 18-year-old Connor Rose, has also gained an apprenticeship with Keepmoat at Friars Gate.

Connor had been made redundant from two previous apprenticeships in painting and decorating and customer service and is confident it will be third time lucky with Keepmoat.

Connor said: “So far this apprenticeship has been head and shoulders above the others. I’m really enjoying it here and am learning so much from the other bricklayers. It’s nice that Jack and I got an apprenticeship at the same time as we know each other from college. I genuinely look forward to going out to work in the morning and enjoy every minute of it.”

Jack and Connor are two of 179 Keepmoat apprentices celebrating National Apprenticeship Week in 2014, which runs from Monday, March 3 to Friday, March 7.

In the last 12 months, Keepmoat has created six new apprenticeship positions in Dudley on the Friars Gate development which has a mix of homes for sale and affordable rent.

Trainees are learning their trades in bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating and tiling at the development which Keepmoat is delivering in partnership with Bromford Housing and Dudley Council.

To date nearly 250 homes have been built at the development which is expected to be completed next spring.

Craig Russon, Senior Site Manager at Keepmoat West Midlands, said: “Jack and Connor have really proved themselves since starting their apprenticeship. They are both learning fast and are demonstrating they’ve got what it takes to be first class bricklayers.

“Keepmoat is committed to training the next generation of building trades. The country needs more homes and it is people like Jack and Connor who are going to build them. By investing in their future we are investing in the country’s future.

“Apprentices are an integral part of Keepmoat’s 3,000-strong workforce as we look to try and build the next generation of construction talent. Investing in apprenticeships is not just about creating short-term jobs but teaching our apprentices skills which will help them to build life-long careers.”

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