A construction apprentice is literally taking his future career and education into his own hands by working on an exciting regeneration project in his local community, the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone at the former steelworks site in Ebbw Vale.
Declan Gaughran, a Coleg Gwent Level 2 Brickwork student, secured an Apprenticeship working on the new Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone with construction company Leadbitter Group after impressing the organisation on work experience earlier this year.
“When I went on work experience for two weeks in February I never expected to get an Apprenticeship, it’s brilliant,” said Declan, 19 from Tredegar.
“Leadbitter are a really good company and getting the Apprenticeship means they must like what I do, which is a great confidence boost. This is a really good career opportunity.”
Rob Bradley, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Western Construction division, said:
“Leadbitter is delighted to appoint Declan as an apprentice bricklayer. He is the first of a number of local apprentices that we are employing on ‘The Works’ site. His enthusiasm for the role and opportunity will help him achieve a successful career in the construction industry, and we look forward to him completing his training over the next few years with Leadbitter.
“The Works site offers many young people opportunities in developing their careers in a variety of building skills. We will be looking for apprentice carpenters and decorators over the next few months as the construction activity increases over the summer.”
The 18-year-old will be continuing his studies at Coleg Gwent next year on a Level 3 Brickwork course and could very well be using the new facility himself once it is completed.
“It’s really exciting working on the new Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone,” said Declan.
“It will be fantastic to know when it’s built that I was part of its construction; part of such a huge regeneration project. And to be part of the new campus where I could be studying in the future is really rewarding.
“The new Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone will be brilliant. The facilities and equipment will all be brand new, there’ll be a great range of courses and it will offer fantastic opportunities for people across Blaenau Gwent and the surrounding areas for years to come.”
