Member Article

Walter Thompson apprentice is one of UK's best young builders

A NORTHALLERTON teenager is celebrating after success in a nationwide competition to find the UK’s best young builders. Andrew Sykes, 18, a second-year bricklaying apprentice at construction company Walter Thompson, was named Joint Runner-up in the 2018 Young Builder of the Year Awards. The competition is run by Youthbuild UK to ‘recognise the potential of every individual to overcome barriers in life through their engagement in construction based services and to celebrate their success.’ Andrew was presented with his award by the Rt Hon John Hayes MP, the new president of Youthbuild UK, at a ceremony in the House of Commons. Andrew explained: “I had to complete a questionnaire about how I had overcome my barriers and made it into the construction industry with my diagnosis of autism and I also had to say how the company had assisted me. Walter Thompson also submitted their views to support my application.” Paul Hammerton, Managing Director of Northallerton-based Walter Thompson, added: “We were only too happy to support Andrew’s application. He has done exceptionally well and this is a fantastic result for both him and the company. We are very proud of Andrew and would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the business.” Andrew joined the company in September 2017, and is thoroughly enjoying working at Walter Thompson: “I enjoy all aspects of working on site and there’s always something new to learn. All of my colleagues on site are helpful, even those from other trades. Everything gets done quicker if we work as a team. “In particular Jamie Cleminson, my former Bricklaying Ambassador, was very supportive and accompanied me on my trip to the House of Commons for the Youthbuild UK final. “My current bricklaying mentor, Richard Wimmer has also been really supportive. He has recently been on Autism Awareness Training through Walter Thompson to better understand what support I need.” Andrew first applied to join Walter Thompson when he first left school, but hadn’t passed his English and maths GCSEs: “Leonie Smith (HR Manager at Walter Thompson) told me to keep in touch, do a bricklaying course at college and work on my maths and English. She also said if wanted some work experience on site I could contact her and she would arrange it. “I called her every time I had a break from my bricklaying course at Darlington College and got lots of work experience on Walter Thompson’s sites. I passed my maths, reapplied for the apprenticeship a year later and my application was successful. “I have since also passed my English as part of my apprenticeship course at New College Durham.” Andrew, who attended Northallerton School and Sixth Form College, won £150 and a drill set as a prize for his award, added: “I was surprised to be shortlisted for the award. Even more so to be in the top few. Hopefully this will encourage other companies to employ young people who have had to overcome their own barriers and give them a chance.” He plans to stay in the construction sector, and hopes to become a Site Manager at Walter Thompson in the future: “Taking on an autistic apprentice for the first time was a big step for them as well and I plan to remain with the company for many years to come.” Outside of work, Andrew is a keen caver and a member of Bradford Potholing Club. He is also a Scout volunteer and a volunteer at Thirsk Community Woodlands Group. Earlier this year two Walter Thompson apprentices won their respective categories in the prestigious CITB Skillbuild competition, which was held at Newcastle College. It is a competition that Walter Thompson has had regular success in over recent years. Paul Hammerton added: “I think our successes at Youthbuild and Skillbuild show how seriously we take our training and just last month we launched the Walter Thompson Training Academy. In addition to our traditional trade apprenticeships our new academy is working with local universities to offer degree apprenticeships in quantity surveying, estimating and modern apprenticeships in business administration.” Youthbuild UK (YBUK) works with a variety of organisations from the public, private and third sectors to provide training, qualifications and employment to young people in the construction industry.

Walter Thompson is a family-run business, established in 1920, with a workforce of about 250 people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Walter Thompson .