Josh Kerwin of Kaefer C&D has been named Apprentice of the Year by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC).
Mr. Kerwin was awarded a trophy, certificate and a œ500 cash prize by NASC training director, Dave Mosley, and Diane Wood, award scheme judge and specialist account co-ordinator for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Josh said:
“I’m very pleased to win this new award from the NASC and am very grateful to Kaefer for supporting me through the scaffolding apprentice programme. It’s been an incredibly positive experience and I would recommend the scaffolding apprenticeship route to anyone looking to get qualified within the scaffolding sector. The facilities at the Bircham Newton training centre were very good, I enjoyed the course and the instructors were excellent.”
The presentation took place at the offices of Kaefer C&D in Mansfield, who also received a trophy and œ500 to be spent on Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) training with an approved provider.
Richard Llewellyn, midlands area operations manager for Kaefer C&D, said:
“Two years ago, Kaefer C&D decided to go down the apprenticeship route, as we became aware we had an ageing workforce and wanted to bring in some new blood. We could not be more pleased with the results, with young lads like Josh Kerwin far exceeding our expectations.”
The inaugural NASC Apprentice of the Year scheme -sponsored by both CITB and CISRS – is aimed at individuals who are directly employed by an NASC member company and are either part way through a formal scaffolding apprenticeship with an approved CISRS provider, or successfully completed the apprenticeship programme in 2014.
The successful candidate needed to be conscientious, show a willingness to learn, develop skills and go above and beyond the call of duty whilst working their way through the qualification.
Diane Wood said:
“Josh originally started as a yard lad in 2011. He then applied for a labourer’s job and worked for a year labouring before moving into the scaffold division and starting an apprenticeship. He has not only overcome his own personal challenges of working away from home while so young, but he has also helped others – in particular another team member who was finding it difficult attending college and being away from home. Joshua’s support enabled this person to continue at college.
“The testimonies stating the willingness he demonstrates in everything he does, his enthusiasm to progress but also having time to help his peers stood out in his application, but in particular the comment of his tutor ?that he has a very positive impact on the group setting an excellent example to others and setting the standard for behaviour and respect’ made him my choice for this new award.”
Dave Mosley, NASC director of training and CISRS scheme manager, said:
“Congratulations to both Josh and Kaefer C&D on their achievement. The scaffolding sector is not always given the credit it deserves for the level of commitment that is required on the parts of both the apprentice and their employer to complete the CISRS scaffolding training programme.
“It was a real pleasure to meet Josh and present him with the first ever NASC Scaffolding Apprentice of the Year award. He is a very pleasant and approachable young man, who had obvio
