18-year-old apprentice electrician, Tom Rafter, has been highly commended at Bellway’s annual Apprentice of the Year awards.
Tom, from Maghull, Merseyside, 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.
As reported by Business Up North, he was highly commended for his exemplary attitude, commitment and high standard of daily work.
Bellway currently employs 188 apprentices and 38 graduates across the UK, and is renowned for its extensive apprenticeship programme. Designed to recognise the contribution that apprentices make to the business and their individual achievements, the annual awards are presented to a select group of worthy recipients across the company’s 22 regions.
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.”
Tom is currently in the second year of a four year Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Electrical Installations course at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool. His apprenticeship involves undertaking practical work alongside Bellway’s existing electrical team on site four days a week and spending one day a week at college.
Construction director at Bellway North West, Ian Hopkins, said: “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.”
