When Drew, 19, from Trowbridge left school he decided to do an apprenticeship in site carpentry. “I was bought up in a building family, so it really appealed to me” he said.
He began working for Silcoa in September 2019 as part of his Level 3 Construction Diploma with Wiltshire College. He knew about Silcoa because his family are customers of Selwood Housing.
Drew said, “They've been very welcoming and teach me everything I need to know. I really feel like part of the team”.
His day-to-day role at Silcoa involves undertaking repairs in empty properties before they are re-let to customers in housing need. Typical duties include replacing architraves and skirting or putting in new kitchen units. “Sometimes we have to go out on an emergency repair, so it's different every day.”
During National Apprenticeship Week 2020, Drew had the opportunity to work on the Margaret Stancomb development in Trowbridge. “It was my first time on a real site and it's been great! You learn different things from when you're using pre-made structures at college or when working in a customer's home. It's really satisfying to see the houses coming together and I'm looking forward to putting my new skills to the test”.
An apprenticeship was the right path for Drew because he prefers the practical side of working to the theory. He is used to getting up early and now often does carpentry work at home, including hanging doors for his mum!
When asked what the future holds, he said “I'm going to carry on learning as much as I can and getting plenty of experience. I'd love to own my own business one day”.
