Member Article

Young carpenter completes national assessment programme

A young carpenter has become one of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors first on site apprentice in London to complete a national assessment programme.

Harry Mcgillivary is celebrating after passing his level two certificates from the City and Guilds of London Institute for End-Point Assessment (EPA) in site carpentry after three years of study combined with his work across numerous prestigious contracts across London.

The 20-year-old is Leicester-based EE Smith Contract’s first site-based apprentice to pass the scheme which began in 2016 to assess the knowledge, skills and behaviors that apprentices have learned through their apprenticeships.

The certificates, which are issued by the Institute of Apprenticeships, are usually presented after two years but the scheme was extended to a third year due to the Covid pandemic.

Harry has made the most of opportunities arisen throughout his apprenticeship by publicly speaking at a Conservative conference in Manchester along with working on the transformation of Battersea Power Station and the £22 million full fit-out of Knightsbridge Gate Block in England’s capital.

EE Smith Contracts, which is based at the Clarendon Industrial Estate in Leicester, was ranked 28th last year in the UK’s Top 100 Apprentice Employers – which celebrates 100 of the country’s most outstanding apprenticeship employers – across all sectors and it was placed highest within the construction industry.

Harry, who lives in Battersea in London, said he is now working towards his level three certificates.

He said: “The knowledge and skills that I have acquired through this apprenticeship is the only reason why I was capable of passing the EPA.

“This is all due to the high quality and bespoke work that EE Smith allow me and the other apprentices to complete.

“We are all truly thankful for the opportunities they have given us because we have been involved in fantastic projects which have been really interesting and it has given me a great insight into a diverse sector.”

Andy Carter, apprentice co-ordinator and senior contracts manager at EE Smith Contracts, said he had worked with Harry in London and had seen on a day-to-day basis his knowledge and practical skills.

“I’m really proud that our first site apprentice has gone through the EPA first time with flying colours,” he said.

“It is really exciting to have our first apprentice in London to go through end point assessment to pass first time especially given the impact Covid has had on the apprentices’ training needs.

“Harry has been a strong asset to our team and I look forward to seeing how he develops within the business where there are so many opportunities available to him.

“We currently have 26 site apprentices, and the number is growing every year as EE Smith Contracts expands.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .