Newark-based Derry Building Services recognises outstanding apprentices for their efforts
Apprentices who continue to ply their trades on construction sites during the coronavirus lockdown have been rewarded.
Derry Building Services has a rich history of taking on apprentices every year and arming them the skills to forge careers in the mechanical and electrical engineering fields.
In fact, all of the Newark-based company’s existing directors began their careers as apprentices.
Each year the company holds an awards ceremony to recognise those who have excelled.
Brian Hughes, a company director, said: “We are very proud of these award winners. We ask their colleagues and training providers who their shining stars are and that’s how we deduce who the best of the best are.
“They are out there working through lockdown, socially-distanced, essential workers, on construction sites today and every day.
“There is so much opportunity for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds through vocational and accredited courses but it’s not every school leavers’ dream to go down the academic route. Many still want to work with their hands and get a trade.
“We offer four-year apprenticeships that are a mixed bag of practical experience on site while also studying on your own and at college. At any one time we have 25 to 30 apprentices.
Will Favill, highly commended in the mechanical achievement category, said: “My dad is a plumber and we are a working class family. I used to go with dad at weekends so he could show me the ropes. I always wanted a trade.
“This is my second year and I’ve already seen some amazing buildings all over the country.
“I love the job. It’s much more than I was expecting.
“My first year was really observing but the second I’m fitting and trusted to work on my own that bit more.
“I’ve been fitting from bathrooms to heating systems. There’s so much variety.
“We all know we are in with a fighting chance of winning these awards so I just did my best. The lads all work hard. It’s nice to have that bit extra to work towards and when I got the phone call I just thought ‘Oh my God this is special’. It’s something for my mum and dad to be proud of.
“I would more than recommend apprenticeships, particularly at Derry’s, as I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the area where you’ll get better opportunities.”
Zak Jones was doing an electricians’ course at Basford Hall College at the same time as Derrys was working on the new college building. Zak had two weeks of work experience with the company on the project before applying to become one of their apprentices.
He has been with Derry’s for four years now and has taken his last exam, earning him a gold card as a fully-qualified electrician at the first time of asking.
He is currently working fitting out the new tax offices by Nottingham Train Station, a project that has been going on for a year.
Zak said: “I was pleased, happy, to hear that I had won. Derry’s are brilliant with apprentices. Hopefully I will be able to work with them for years to come.”
Winners: Electrical apprentice categories, stage one electrical apprentice: Bradley Pilkington; stage two electrical apprentice: Jake Geary; stage three electrical apprentice: Charlie Brendon; stage four electrical apprentice: Zak Jones; Mechanical apprentice categories, highly commended: Oliver Jones; mechanical achievement: Will Favill; mechanical apprentice of the year: Rory Maclean.
Three staff also marked 25 years with the company. They were Brian Hughes, director, Steve Hudson, divisional manager, and Sean Judd, approved electrician.