Apprenticeships

Romsey duo lead the field in home builder's national awards

- 01 Feb 17

An apprentice plumber and a sales advisor, who are both based at a Romsey new home development, have scooped prestigious awards from a leading national housebuilder.

Jack Stewart and Tracy Penny, who work at Bovis Homes' Abbotswood location, beat competition from more than 100 sites across the country to win Apprentice of the Year and Sales Advisor of the Year, respectively.

Jack, who lives in Romsey, had already won the top apprentice prize in Bovis Homes' Southern region and then went on to win the national award. The 17-year-old was recognised as Apprentice of the Year at the ceremony held in Reading. Now in his second year of his plumbing apprenticeship, Jack is learning practical skills out on the site for four days a week and attends nearby Eastleigh College for one day to further his knowledge and skills.

"I was really surprised when I found out I had won. I really didn't expect it," says Jack. "When I left school a career in plumbing really stood out to me. I'm a hands-on person, so I wanted a practical job where I was out and about.

"I really enjoy going to site and wake-up every morning eager to go to work. The team are great and I get along with everyone. I've got two more years of my apprenticeship and then once I'm qualified I'll hopefully get a position at a site somewhere."

"Jack has shown a huge level of commitment to personal learning and development, together with a strong personal work ethic," says Bovis Homes Head of Talent Roger Morton. "In recent years, we've had over 100 apprentices join us in both trade and office jobs across our regions. The future of any organisation is only as good as the talent it recruits and retains, and we really value young people, such as Jack, who are flourishing with Bovis Homes."

There were double celebrations at the awards ceremony for the Abbotswood team as it was announced that Tracy Penny, who has been based on the site since the sales centre opened five years ago, achieved the accolade of Sales Advisor of the Year.

Tracy has worked for Bovis Homes for nearly six years and previously worked at locations including Hedge End, North Baddesley and Eastleigh.

"We've had such fantastic feedback about Tracy and she has always gone above and beyond for customers," says Roger. "Nothing is too much trouble and the customer satisfaction surveys from the location have been full of praise."

"I was so shocked and completely overwhelmed when I won," says Tracy. "I really enjoy my job - I just love it with a passion. It's such an exciting time in people's lives and it's lovely to be able to sell customers their dream home.

"I really have to say that it is a team effort and I wouldn't be able to do my job without the site manager and the rest of the guys on site. Over the five years, the team has really bonded, which has really helped with the customers' journey."

"What the team have got at Abbotswood is really special," says Roger. "The team ethic at the location is clearly part of its success."

Bovis Homes' Abbotswood location includes a range of homes, from two-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses.

For more information about Bovis Homes and Abbotswood, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk