Member Article

Brothers among new Durham apprentices

Two brothers are among six new apprentices who have taken up roles created by a Durham regeneration partnership.

Jack Hamilton, 18, and Sam Hamilton, 16, from Bishop Auckland, are both training towards a trade in joinery and are working on homes for the Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) – a partnership comprising developer Keepmoat and Durham County Council.

Their journey into work began with a training day which was arranged by the Construction Industry Training Board, the Rising Star youth recruitment agency and Northumberland College.

Jack said: “I’d finished college and my brother had just finished school. We both wanted to go into a trade and attended a training day to find out more and look at our options. Although separately, we were both invited to apply for an apprenticeship with Keepmoat – which is constructing the DRVC homes.

“I’m now working at the Bracks Farm development in Bishop Auckland and enjoying every minute. I’ve learned so much already and have been undertaking a wide range of joinery tasks.”

Sam added: “I was really happy when I found out that my interview had been successful – and even more so when I discovered my brother had been selected too. I am at a different development to Jack – Cobblers Hall in Newton Aycliffe – and have been working with a fully qualified joiner on roofing, first and second fix and joists and flooring. It is great to be earning whilst learning and working towards a career for the future.”

Jack and Sam are joined by fellow apprentice joiners Tom Blackburn, 16, from South Hetton and Josh Laugher, 17, form Durham City, as well as bricklaying apprentices Tyler Taylor, 18, from West Cornforth and Jack Stoker, 20, from Stanley, who are all training on other DRVC developments across the region.

Jack Stoker said: “I had finished college two years previously but had been unable to find work. I didn’t see a lot of opportunities out there. I was in touch with employment and skills training agency which made me aware of a six week course that, when completed, could offer the opportunity of an apprenticeship.

“I was committed to taking this chance and of the six people on the course, was the only one who followed it through to the end. I was delighted when I was told I had been accepted onto the apprenticeship scheme and now hope to develop my skills and become a fully qualified bricklayer. From there I want to build up my experience and who knows, in 20 years or so, perhaps set up my own business.”

Over the past 20 years DVRC has delivered almost 1,500 modern homes and contributed to economic and social revival across County Durham, providing jobs and training opportunities.

Geoff Scott, Employment and Skills Manager with Keepmoat, said: “Whilst the primary aim of the regeneration company was to build modern, new homes for the people of Durham, providing jobs and training opportunities are also a key objective. We are delighted to welcome all the lads to the team and hope their apprenticeships prove to be a springboard to successful careers in the construction industry.”

DVRC Chairman and Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, Cllr. Neil Foster, said: “The council has a proven track record of using its spending power, as well as our many projects across the county, to add social value wherever possible. With DVRC this means that we’re not only building new homes for families in County Durham but helping to build new lives and careers for the young people in those communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .