Apprenticeships

Gloucestershire apprentices enjoy award success

- 27 May 14

Sue Brown, Beth Castle (Business Admin - Runner Up), Zoe Hunt (overall winner), Emma Sherborne (Business Admin - Runner Up), Lucy Moore (Business Admin - Highly Commended), Pauline O'Donnell (Work-based learning training manager - Gloucestershire College)

Gloucestershire apprentices from building sites and offices in the county scooped the top awards when Bovis Homes held its annual apprentice awards recently.

Business administrator Zoe Hunt and bricklayer Steve Robey both walked away with prestigious trophies for their work this year at a ceremony in Bristol.

And for former Cleeve School pupil Zoe, it was a big night as the 16-year-old beat the toughest of competition to win the blue riband award of being named the Bovis Homes Apprentice of the Year.

Apprentice winner Zoe Hunt with Regional Managing Director Supriya Ray

"I would back our group of apprentices against any other company's in the country, so for Zoe to win the whole competition is an absolutely fantastic achievement," said South Division Managing Director Malcolm Pink.

"She has shown just the qualities we look for in our young people; a great work ethic, enthusiasm and the willingness to learn, develop and make the most of their opportunity with us.

"The young people at the awards are the sort of sparky young people we need to come into the house building industry. This is real employment and this is the way I want to recruit future site managers and business managers for Bovis Homes."

A delighted Zoe, who is based in her home village at the house builder's regional headquarters in Cleeve Hall, said: "Bovis Homes are a really good employer. They are very encouraging with all the exams and courses, and you learn a lot just being here. They've also been very encouraging with the different departments I could work in and try out.

"As well as getting a qualification you get the experience and that's something I don't think you can really get from going to college or university."

Steve Robey with Regional Build Director Gareth Neale

Meanwhile Steve, 23, another former Cleeve School pupil, who has worked at Bovis Homes developments in Bishops Cleeve, Brockworth and Little Rissington in his two and a half years at the company, was named best 3^rd year apprentice.

"Being an apprentice is the more professional way of getting into the industry," said Steve. "I saw joining up with Bovis Homes as the chance to be involved with a great, progressive company while learning a trade that can set me up for life.

"The best things about the apprenticeship are that Bovis Homes really value your hard work - and it's also great being out working in the summer when the weather's nice!"

Sue Brown, Apprenticeship Assessor at Gloucestershire College, where the business apprentices at Bovis Homes study, said: "Our students love working at Bovis Homes. They love the environment and their colleagues and they give that back ten-fold in the work that they produce, both for me and for Bovis Homes.

"Bovis Homes really invests in these young people. It is a positive experience and all of the learners at Bovis Homes really enjoy what they do."