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Incommunities talented group of construction trainees will be recognised at their prestigious Apprentice of the Year Awards 2009 on 27 February.

The apprentices come from various different trades such as joinery, plumbing, bricklaying, plastering and electrical work. Their comprehensive training covers a combination of site-based experience working alongside qualified tradesmen and college training leading to NVQ level qualifications.

During their apprenticeships most of the trainees work for both buildingservices, the housing group’s repairs and maintenance operation, and propertysolutions, who work on a wide range of construction and refurbishment schemes.

The apprentices range from 17 to 44 years of age and include school leavers and men and women looking to take new career paths. Around 20% of our apprentices are women showing Incommunities commitment to helping address under representation of females in the sector nationally.

Nominations for the awards were made by maintenance, contract and site managers within Incommunities. A judging panel of senior officers then had the hard task of choosing the winners in three different work areas and an overall winner.

The Apprentices of the Year award area winners are:-

• Miles Mitchell, an apprentice joiner at propertysolutions
• Stuart Gudiens an apprentice joiner at buildingservices' Dudley Hill depot
• Jonathan Fawcett, an apprentice electrician at buildingservices' Saltaire depot
  

Miles Mitchell was named the overall Incommunities Apprentice of the Year winner.

The area winners will each receive a certificate and £80 worth of shopping vouchers The overall winner will receive an engraved shield and an additional £80 in vouchers to buy tools to further their careers.

The prizes have been sponsored by Broadford Plant and Tool Hire, City Training Services, Newey and Eyre and Plumbing and Trade Supplies.

The following apprentices were highly commended; Andrea Day (joiner); Lisa Kaye (joiner); Joe O’Toole (electrician); Richard Barr (electrician); Dawn Ayres (plumber) and Adam LeClerq (plumber). They will each receive certificates.

Delroy Beverley, Director of Incommunities - propertysolutions said: “These awards recognise the commitment, skills, aptitude and team work shown by our apprentices in both their day to day work and as part of their college based training.

“As one of the city’s major employers, Incommunities is committed to investing in talented local people from across communities and amongst under-represented groups. This was demonstrated by our successful Women into Construction event last Autumn.

“Our apprentices are actively encouraged to develop their trade skills and reach their potential working alongside trade professionals. I would like to thank each one of them for their important contribution to our business.”

Greg Robinson, Director of Incommunities - buildingservices said: “This year we have again had the difficult task of choosing winners from our high calibre pool of apprentices. The award winners and those that have been highly commended can be rightly proud of their achievements.

“Our apprenticeship programme lies at the heart of our vision to be an employer of 1st choice and every one of the team is playing their part in our multi million pound maintenance and modernisation programme.”