Next Steps Candidates Revealed
These 10 candidates will battle it out to win full-time paid construction apprenticeships with Carmarthenshire building firms Lloyd & Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd.
The lucky ones have been chosen to take part in the Next Steps project and will now work and train with skilled tradesmen to learn basic skills including carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and ground works.
The successful candidates were first grilled by an interview panel and then attended a five-day course at Coleg Sir Gâr which gave them the knowledge and skills necessary to work on a building site.
They are:
- Liam Whittle, 16, from Cross Hands
- Dominic Edwards, aged 16, from Llanelli
- Rhys Williams, aged 16, from Llanelli
- Mathew Glaze, aged 16, from Kidwelly
- Declan Pugh, aged 17, from Llanelli
- Rhydian Rees, aged 16, from Carmarthen
- Jamie Tanner, aged 17, from Glanamman,
- Elliot Thomas, aged 17, from Llanelli’
- Iwan Evans, aged 16, from Pwll
- Sean Thomas, aged 18, from Pembrey
The chosen 10 will be working on two community projects – renovating the courtyard at Llys Y Bryn Care home for residents to enjoy; and refurbishing Cwmamman swimming pool for the benefit of local residents.
They will also take part in challenges to test their ability to learn new skills, with rewards and forfeits as an incentive.
The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Ffwrnes Theatre in August, and they will have a few weeks off before starting their apprenticeships in September.
Director of Lloyd & Gravell Kevin Gravell said: “This is a life-changing opportunity for these candidates. They have already impressed us with their applications, interviews, and how they conducted themselves in college.
“Now we are looking forward to see how they will work as individuals; and as part of a team – this is where the hard work really starts.”
Director of TRJ Ltd Owain Jones said: “We are looking forward to putting the candidates through their paces. This is the seventh year we have run this competition and it is still really exciting to see the candidates develop as the weeks go by. “
Next Steps is a joint initiative between the two building firms and Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property division, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd.
Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We are delighted to be supporting Next Steps and I would like to wish all 10 candidates the best of luck in the competition.”
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