Chris Level 2 Bricklayer “I’m currently in my first year of bricklaying and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Being up early and turning up onsite, plus working with a great team really makes this apprenticeship enjoyable and rewarding. “The mentorships and guidance I have received both from Rowland Homes and Preston College has been second to none and I have already learnt so much. To be being paid a salary as I learn and qualify is also a huge bonus. This is where I want to be and I can’t image doing anything different. “I am looking forward to qualifying as a fully qualified bricklayer and continuing to work for Rowland Homes.” Rowland Homes For years, Preston College has partnered with Rowland Homes, to help train future bricklayers and joiners. With sites across Lancashire, Rowland Homes and Preston College are able place apprentices across different sites to enrich their learning journey; giving apprentices an insight into real life projects and the chance to work with wider Rowland teams. Linda Gaskin, Construction Secretary at Rowland Homes says: “We recruit six apprentices with Preston College every year. We make sure that collaboratively, with the College, our apprentices learn new and relevant skills within their trade. We ensure through experiential teaching and learning that they gain as much real-life work experience on a construction site. They are all led by a team of industry experts and each have a mentor that supports them and guides them through their learning. Knowing that the apprentices come to college one day a week to learn the practical skills, enriches their apprenticeship journey. The partnership with Preston College works well and our apprentices are thriving. “On successful completion of the apprenticeships Rowland Homes supports the apprentices with their next steps towards becoming a permanent member of the team or supporting their career progression to pastures new.” Mark Taylor, Head of School for Construction says: “Construction is a key priority for the Lancashire region, and an area with a recognised skills shortage. Working in collaboration with industry experts such as Rowland Homes, ensures that we are continually future proofing the skills needed in these trades and feeding a pipeline of talent into the construction sites across Lancashire.” Apprentices are on-site with their employer for four of the five days a week. For their day release to College, apprentices are taught in purpose built workshops, by highly experienced, industry experts. Reece Level 3 Site Carpentry “In my mid-twenties I wanted to change my career. I’d worked in an office, but quickly realised that this wasn’t for me. My dad works as a joiner and roofer and asked me to help him one day which made me see that this was what I wanted to do and led me to applying for the joinery apprenticeship. “Working with new people in different places, on different things each week, and outdoors onsite really suits me and I can’t see me doing anything else. One day I can be working on joists in new builds, through to working on the roofing. “Rowland Homes have been brilliant. In a short time I’ve learnt a lot and I’m thankful to them for this opportunity.” 29
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