Member Article

Keepmoat apprentice site manager shortlisted for national apprenticeship award

AM ambitious Keepmoat apprentice site manager has a promising career ahead of him after being shortlisted for the National Apprenticeship Awards. Liam Harrison is through to the regional finals of the highly competitive awards.

The high flyer has been shortlisted in the Higher Apprentice of the Year category in honour of the hard work and dedication he brings to the role with Keepmoat Homes.

Based in the North East of England, Liam works on The Rise in the Scottswood area of Newcastle, a flagship development where Keepmoat is building 900 homes over the next 15 years.

His role involves managing the full build process, from ordering construction material to managing the sub-contractors working on site to making sure health and safety procedures are in place.

Leaving school feeling a little disillusioned, Liam joined Keepmoat as an apprentice joiner in 2008. On completing his three year apprenticeship he realised he wanted to move up the career ladder into construction site management. He set his sights on studying for a Diploma in Advanced Construction and Site Supervision, which he finished in July.

Liam said: “It’s a great honour to be shortlisted in the awards for a job I really enjoy. I love everything about building new homes and am really passionate about what I do. “In my time at Keepmoat I have shown just how far you can progress with an apprenticeship. My granddad was a joiner and he always encouraged me to get a trade. School was not a great experience for me, but being an apprentice has helped me find my career path.

At just 22 years old I now have a huge amount of responsibility for ensuring the smooth running of a busy building site.“

Liam is now an ambassador for apprenticeships with Keepmoat and regularly shares his experience with new recruits to the firm.

Tony Callaghan, Keepmoat site manager and Liam’s boss, said: “Liam has shown great enthusiasm for the building profession and works incredibly hard day in, day out to contribute to the success of each construction site he has worked on.

“He brings a fresh pair of eyes to the way we do things and often comes up with ideas on how we could do things differently. I wish Liam the best of luck in the National Apprenticeship Awards.”

Liam will now go on to study a two-year HNC in construction management in September, followed by a one year HND which will result in him becoming a fully qualified site manager.

The Awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces. The winners will be announced in September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Becki Ord .