An apprentice with Perth-house builders Stephen is to represent Perth College at two competitions.
First year apprentice Jordan Telfar (17), from Perth, will compete at the Scottish Association of Timber Trade Teachers (SATTT) annual competition, hosted by East Kilbride College on 14 May. He will represent the College from a first year intake of 32 students, competing against 17 other students from around Scotland. The competition is based on a gruelling, seven and a half hour practical assessment.
Hot on the heels of that, also in East Kilbride, Jordan will be competing in the first regional heat of the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) SkillBuild awards (‘New Entrant’ category). If successful in what is the UK's biggest construction skills competition, Jordan, who has been an Apprentice with the firm since August 2015, will go through to the national heat at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Jordan, who attended St John’s R C Academy before embarking on his ‘Construction and Building Technologies’ course commented, “I’m absolutely delighted to have been chosen to represent the College in these two national competitions. I like to think that I strive for perfection in the work that I do and it’s great to have been recognised for that. Stephen are known for their quality housebuilding so I’m proud to be an Apprentice with them, and to be associated with the high calibre of building they are so well known for. One day, I would love to start my own business. ”
Meanwhile, Ron Sutherland, Construction Manager added, “As a company, we need to invest in our future to address the growing skills shortage in the industry. Apprentices really are the lifeblood of this industry so we recognise the need to train and develop them to ensure a steady supply of skilled tradespeople to build the houses of tomorrow. We wish you the very best of luck Jordan!”
Stephen apprentices are recruited through the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), with each term lasting four years, split between college attendance and practical experience in the workplace. There are currently four working for the company, two site-based carpenter/joiners, a bench hand joiner, and painter and decorator, with plans to recruit another two or three over the Summer.
