Member Article

Apprentices take to the floor

Dinnington-based wall, tile and flooring subcontractor, A Cumberlidge, has taken on two apprentices as part of its continued commitment to developing local talent.

17 year-olds, Jack Walker and Adam Curtis both hail from Dinnington and join the business as apprentice soft floor layers. Former students of Dinnington Comprehensive, the pair are currently undertaking a two year NVQ qualification and gaining hands-on experience out on site on a variety of live projects across the region.

Commenting on his apprenticeship, Adam said: “Jack and I spend one week a month learning new skills and studying at the North West Training Centre in St Helen’s. When we’re not there, we’re working as part of a team on clients’ projects, putting into practice what we’ve learnt.”

Adds Jack: “The apprenticeship is perfect because we’re experiencing everything that comes with working in the wall and flooring industry. We’re also working in a number of sectors including healthcare, retail and leisure so each job is very different.

“From how to scribe around a door casing and understanding measurements, to carrying out a comprehensive check on a floor and actually laying the specified flooring or wall covering, we’re learning first hand from the professionals. It’s a great role and I really enjoy coming to work.”

Explains Tim Vaughan, financial director at A Cumberlidge: “ As a business, we’ve always looked to support local people with work wherever we can and a big part of that is apprenticeships. We have a high regard for encouraging young apprentices to achieve their full potential; they’re the future of our industry.

“We’ve trained some first-class apprentices over the years and Jack and Adam are the latest additions to our growing team. They’re progressing very well and are even being asked for, by name, by our project managers to work on specific jobs which is an excellent endorsement.”

Concludes Lisa Haywood, apprenticeship officer at the Construction & Industry training Board (CITB) in South Yorkshire: “CITB have worked successfully with A Cumberlidge for many years helping to resource their apprentices and both Adam and Jack are making excellent progress towards their level 2 qualification. It is always a pleasure to manage A Cumberlidge’s apprentices as the company shows great interest in their apprentices’ progress and is always willing to help with relevant evidence for their work based learning NVQ qualification. We have always found the company to be professional and to be very involved in the training of their apprentices and workforce “

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kirsten Howells .