Four build their new future

Oct 24 2007 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

HOUSING Hartlepool is helping build the skills of young people by taking on four apprentices.

The company, which owns and manages 7,000 houses in Hartlepool, has recruited bricklayer Anthony Chapman, electrician Mark Davies, joiner Kris Bradley and plumber Liam Wood.

The new apprentices will undertake a fixed-term training of between two and four years, depending on the trade they are entering.

They will attend day or block release courses at a local college.

Housing Hartlepool’s building services manager John Gill said: “Investing in young people is core to the values we have here at Housing Hartlepool.

“These apprenticeships in the building trade provide excellent career prospects and we are delighted to offer this opportunity to these four young people.

“Housing Hartlepool also sees its apprenticeships as playing an important part in helping overcome the skills shortages in this sector by training a future generation of skilled construction workers.”

Anthony, 22, from Hartlepool, had been on a work placement with Housing Hartlepool through Working Solutions since 2005.

During that time he achieved NVQ level 2 in bricklaying and now he is studying for level 3.

Mark, 18, from Wingate, already has a NVQ level 2 and a BTEC 1st Diploma, which he gained while working on placement with Euro Security.

With Housing Hartlepool he is now aiming for NVQ level 3.

Kris, 19, from Hartlepool, worked as a roofer for a year before joining the Navy.

He has now returned to his home town to pursue a career in joinery.

Liam, 16, is getting his first foot on the career ladder after leaving the town’s Dyke House School.