Tom Rafter from Magull has been highly commended in Bellway’s annual Apprentice of the Year awards.
Recognised for his exemplary attitude, commitment and high standard of daily work, the 18-year-old apprentice electrician is based at the company’s North West regional office in Hunts Cross but works across a number of residential developments in the Merseyside and Lancashire regions.
Renowned for its extensive apprenticeship programme, Bellway currently employs 188 apprentices and 38 graduates across the UK. Designed to recognise the contribution that apprentices make to the business and their individual achievements, the awards are made annually to a select group of worthy recipients across the company’s 22 regions.
To be highly commended is a real achievement and a fantastic accolade for Tom who is currently in the second year of a four year Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Electrical Installations course at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool.
To further increase his knowledge of the construction process, Tom’s apprenticeship involves undertaking practical work alongside Bellway’s existing electrical team on site four days a week. This is combined with spending one day a week at college, although just recently his studies have taken place online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
He is very much enjoying the challenges of an apprenticeship in the construction industry and is delighted to have been recognised in this year’s awards. He said: “It was such a surprise to be told that I had been highly commended. After not enjoying school very much, I was keen to get on and do something else and I am so pleased that I chose an apprenticeship. I really feel that I am gaining valuable skills that will provide me with a career for life and I am so grateful to Bellway for the opportunity.”
Construction runs in the family for the Rafters as Tom’s brother also completed an apprenticeship with Bellway only a couple of years ago and is now a successfully self-employed bricklayer working across the Merseyside region and beyond.
Construction director at Bellway North West, Ian Hopkins commented: “It is wonderful to have one of our North West apprentices recognised in the company’s national award scheme. Since day one, Tom has shown the commitment and desire to succeed in his chosen field of electrical engineering and in the short period of his apprenticeship, he has already become an integral member of the site team. He has real talent, enjoys practical work and is a self-disciplined and motivated young person with a real love and enthusiasm for his chosen career. We’re all very proud of his achievements to date and to be recognised in this way by Head Office is very well deserved.”
One of the UK’s leading residential developer and a 5 star HBF builder in 2020 (in which over 90% of our customers would recommend a friend), Bellway is currently building in a number of desirable locations across the North West. From young professionals and first time buyers to growing families and downsizers, Bellway has a beautiful new build home to suit all purchasers. For further information, please visit www.bellway.co.uk.