Breyer Group Apprentice, Aaron Barrett scoops Award during Regional Final of National Apprenticeship Awards 2015

Breyer Group Apprentice, Aaron Barrett scoops Award during Regional Final of National Apprenticeship Awards 2015

Aaron Barrett was recently shortlisted as a ‘finalist’ for Apprentice of the Year 2015 and `Highly Commended` by the National Apprenticeship Service during the London finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2015.

Aaron, 27 years, who works as an apprentice Site Manager at Breyer Group said: “I am thankful for the opportunity that Breyer Group has provided me with. I feel the Apprenticeship scheme has been a beacon of light for me personally. I did not want to attend university and I felt that working was my only option.

I highly recommend Apprenticeships to any young person. I found the best part of being an Apprentice was the fact that I was gaining vital on site experience which tied in with the course I was studying at college. I am pleased that Breyer Group has taken me on after my Plumbing Apprenticeship has finished and now I am training to become a Site Manager.”

Aaron was recruited in line with our Major Works Contract for Lewisham Homes which commenced in 2011. “He is a shining example of what can be achieved when an individual has the passion and desire to pursue their goals”.

During his Apprenticeship he has:-

• Progressed from Level 2 to Level 3 in Plumbing and has done so through hard work, dedication, listening and seeking sites to gain relevant experience to improve his competence, increase his contribution on-site and complete his portfolio ahead of schedule
• Achieved recognition as Apprentice of the Year (2013-14 & 2014-15) and Mentor of the Year (2014-15) by Lewisham Council and Breyer Group
• Mentored a diverse range of Apprentices which includes Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs) and an Apprentice who communicates via signing and lip reading
• Volunteered to assist with community investment projects using his skills to improve community facilities and trying to inspire young people into construction through Apprenticeships
• Developed a high level of competence which resulted in him being given the responsibility and trust to install a minimum of 2 bathrooms per day on a scheme for Poplar Harca. This benefit to the business means we become more productive with lower costs. It also demonstrates the value of Apprenticeships to staff who are more willing to re-invest in developing other Apprentices – creating a positive culture and image within the business and externally within the areas where Apprentices are employed.

He has been a wonderful role model for anyone looking to join the industry through the Apprenticeship route and is being rewarded via a bespoke fast track training programme into Site Management.” Roy Ramrutton, Community Investment Manager, Breyer Group

The Awards, now in their twelfth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

 “Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning. And for businesses, hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

“The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve. They not only help celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses, allowing them to gain the credit for investing in their own futures, but they drive up quality and encourage others to get involved.

Aaron Barrett has been ‘Highly Commended’ and I would like to congratulate him on this achievement. There has never been a better time to become an Apprentice or employ one and Apprentices like Aaron deserve to be rewarded for their efforts.”