The Latest News From Bovey Construction Ltd

September, 2005

IF I WERE A CARPENTER . . .

The last year before student fees rise to a level beyond what most families can afford has turned into a race to get a place at a university, any university. But is this the best move for a bright young man or woman, who might find, at the end of three years, that they are simply at the end of the queue for a job with prospects? Is it not better to be at the head of that queue - and without student debts as high as £30,000?

This is the view of Jamie Booth from Kingsteignton, who has taken his three A levels to Bovey Construction, where he has now started a carpentry apprenticeship. With his educational background and practical skills, he is set to achieve an NVQ3, which equips him for supervisory work, in record time. From then on, if he develops a real aptitude, as some of his new colleagues at the award-winning construction firm have, he could be working towards an NVQ4 in management and fast-track promotion.

This was not a rash decision. Like many young people, Jamie opted for A levels in part because he felt he was not ready to start work. He worked hard, and, aiming to become a primary school teacher, got practical experience in an out-of-school club. But as someone who loved technology at GCSE, he also jumped at the chance to work on a building site in a school holiday. And that was it: he was hooked. He is now looking at the chance to develop a range of skills to degree level without the debts.

Jamie (right) with Lee Sayer

All this depends – in exactly the same way as a university course – on how Jamie turns out. But, according to his site manger, Lee Sayer, who is himself completing a construction management course, Jamie shows great potential. As he says

“There aren’t many apprentices who are raring to go before term starts, but Jamie turned up on time on 4 July, complete with a skeleton tool kit. Now that is unusual, and he’s settling in very well. Of course, it’s a bit of a change for him after his A levels, but he is very good with his hands. Already, he has picked up the use of the tools, including power tools, which, as an 18-year-old, he can legally use.”

Over to Jamie. “After 11 years’ education, I decided that my real skill lay in working with my hands rather than writing. And I was right. I just love it.”

Young people in the area with the commitment, aspiration and talent to fast track a construction career should ring Neil Turner at Bovey Construction on 01626 821919. Young people from further afield should ring the CITB South West on 01392 444900 or visit the CITB website on www.citb.co.uk.