Bouygues UK marks National Apprenticeship Week with visit to Coleg Sir Gar

Bouygues UK assistant site manager and former Cyfle apprentice Tom Reed marked National Apprenticeship Week with a visit to Coleg Sir Gâr in Ammanford to meet the current group of apprentices who are learning about the world of construction.

Bouygues UK and Whiteheads Building Services have committed to supporting 10 mechanical and electrical apprentices through the Cyfle Building Skills Shared Apprentice Scheme which allows apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different local employers to gain the skill sets they require to become qualified.

Tom, who started out as a Cyfle plumbing apprentice and is now Assistant Site Manager for Bouygues UK on the prestigious Pentre Awel project in Carmarthenshire, returned to college to inspire college learners to consider an apprenticeship for the next part of their learning journey.

Tom, aged 31 from Cardiff, said: “I chose to undertake an apprenticeship in plumbing as I knew learning a trade would be a skill for life. During my two-year apprenticeship I was fortunate enough to travel to Uganda with Cyfle, who were sponsoring my apprenticeship. I went there for two weeks to help build and manage the construction of a maternity ward. While I was there, I saw first-hand the impact construction can have to a community. I decided to finish my apprenticeship and then go to university to undertake a construction project management degree.”

During his second year of university, Tom was offered a summer placement at Bouygues UK’s Cardiff Innovation Campus site before being offered a trainee position on the Bouygues Management programme.

He added: “I was able to study part time at university one day a week and work on-site the remaining four days. Since finishing my degree last summer, I have been promoted to Assistant Site Manager and I believe that having the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’ has massively helped my professional development.

“I believe the skills I learnt as a plumber during my apprenticeship has helped me enormously in all aspects of my current role. Whether you want to pursue a career in the trade industry or to use it as a steppingstone into management, an apprenticeship it’s a brilliant thing to do.”

Pentre Awel, an innovative, multi-million-pound development, being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, is the largest regeneration scheme in South West Wales. It provides a unique opportunity for those currently undertaking apprenticeship.

Harrison Griffiths, a Cyfle Technical apprentice who is currently on long-term placement with Bouygues UK said, “Doing an apprenticeship is an ideal way to get a start in the industry and it has been amazing working on such a prestigious scheme as Pentre Awel. I really love being part of the team on site and learning everything I can about how a site works and the work that goes into building a major project such as Pentre Awel. I would encourage anyone thinking about a career in construction to consider an apprenticeship.”

Lynette Anthony from Cyfle said: “It was great to have Tom from Bouygues UK here today to explain to the students how the apprenticeships work for a Tier 1 contractor like Bouygues UK, and the commitments they have with their sub-contractors to provide apprenticeships directly and through the Cyfle scheme. It was also great that Tom could explain his path through his apprenticeship, from plumbing through to assistant site manager.

“The interest today has been very encouraging, and we are looking forward to welcoming Coleg Sir Gar students on or apprenticeship and work experience schemes.”

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said, “Apprenticeship opportunities are vital for people in Carmarthenshire. It enables young people living in the county to learn new skills in a work environment. The prestigious Pentre Awel development will create over 1,800 jobs, training, and apprenticeship opportunities for those living in Llanelli and surrounding areas. I hope more young people follow in Tom’s footsteps and choose to do an apprenticeship and develop a career here in Carmarthenshire.”