Two new apprentice joiners are reaping the benefits of combining practical on-site experience with their qualification studies after being recruited by a Welsh construction company.
Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction has expanded its joinery team as part of the firm’s goal to provide a minimum of 100 work experience placements and 250 apprenticeships across trade and technical subjects over the next five years.
Abergele’s Kieran Jones, who is studying for a Level 2 diploma in site carpentry and a Level 2 NVQ in wood occupations, has hit the ground running at the company, working across several sites as part of its £7.1m package of works expanding the Flintshire Early Years pre-school project.
Kieran was encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship with Wynne Construction through one of his friends who is currently studying for a Level 3 joinery qualification while working at the firm.
He said: “I’ve heard nothing but praise from my friend, who started his apprenticeship when he left school and is now aiming to be a fully qualified joiner, so Wynne seemed like a great company.
“I’m absolutely loving the role; everyone on the team has been welcoming and great to work with, and the variation in sites I’ve been to has really helped with my development for certain aspects of the job.
“Wynne Construction is very education focused and I’ve enjoyed taking the knowledge from the workshop at Coleg Llandrillo and applying it alongside a mentor who is showing me how to utilise these skills on site in a practical manner.
“My main goal now is focusing on completing the apprenticeship and becoming a fully qualified joiner and I would recommend to anyone to apply for an apprenticeship through Wynne.”
Romek Cielecki, who is studying for a Level 2 NVQ in wood occupations, has also taken to his new apprenticeship strongly, working on the £3.5 million Ysgol Y Faenol expansion in Bangor.
He said: “Working with Wynne has been great. Everyone on site is professional and willing to help each other plus it has been a fantastic chance for me to further develop my skills across a wide range of tasks.
“There have been plenty of opportunities to focus in on specific tasks and elements of joinery, which I have enjoyed, and it’s also provided a great foundation of work-based evidence which will be built into my NVQ qualifications done through Coleg Llandrillo.
“The pandemic made it quite difficult to secure an apprenticeship, but finding something local and also with Wynne has been fantastic and I am looking forward to qualifying and developing further with the company.”
Wynne’s aim to further develop the region’s industry workforce is managed by the Wynne Futures Foundation, which brings together the business’ existing community benefits, training programmes, and apprenticeship activities and initiatives.
Managing director of Wynne Construction Chris Wynne said: “Giving apprentices entering the industry the chance to learn new skills and educating and developing the next generation of workers is something we are passionate about.
“That core aim is perfectly demonstrated through Kieran and Romek who, as part of the Wynne Futures Foundation, are picking up valuable talents and trade knowledge while making those vital first steps into the wider industry.”
