Leicester-based housebuilder Westleigh Homes has recruited a new teenage apprentice to add to their growing team of young trade-skills people across their East Midlands new homes developments.
Lewis Payne is just 15-years-old and studying Level 2 joinery at Vision West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield. The 17th apprentice taken on by the housebuilder this academic year, Lewis is planning to complete his apprenticeship with the guidance of the company’s experienced construction experts.
“I really liked the sound of the apprenticeship scheme that Westleigh offers,” Lewis explains. “I spoke to my dad, who works in joinery, about the scheme and he said that it was a great opportunity, so he encouraged me to apply. The fact that my dad is a joiner definitely influenced my decision to pursue it as a career. I’m very aware that it’s a challenging job, but I find it to be really enjoyable and rewarding.
“The main thing that I’ve gained from the induction day is the importance of health and safety. It’s the number one priority on site and the talk that we were given was really useful and informative. I’m looking forward to absolutely everything about my apprenticeship with Westleigh and I can’t wait to learn more out on site!”
Currently working at the Meadow Lane development in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Lewis is on a three-year advanced apprentice programme that splits his time between on-site experience and college learning.
Ian Jones, managing director of Westleigh Homes, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Lewis to our talented and ever-expanding joinery team. Helping our staff to realise their full potential is right at the heart of who we are as a company and we work very hard to support our apprentices right from the start. We hope that Lewis enjoys learning his chosen trade with us and we would like to wish him every success for the future.”
A range of apprenticeship schemes are available at Westleigh, specialising in bricklaying, carpentry/joinery and groundwork trades, with opportunites open to young people with GCSEs in Maths and English at grade A to C, and with a passion for a construction career. Anyone interested in joining the company in one of these roles this year is invited to apply to them by Sunday 11 March.
Your email has been successfully added to newsletter list.