Nicky G.

Nicky is from Southmead and attended Henbury School. He joined On-Site Bristol two years after leaving school, having tried training in another industry before settling into construction. He began his training with On-Site Bristol in September 2004, starting with a year’s further education at City of Bristol College before progressing to a full apprenticeship in September 2005. Nicky was employed from the start of his training and has remained with the one employer throughout.

Nicky is a bricklayer who has achieved his apprenticeship by sheer hard work and application and has been supported by an employer who has provided an excellent range of work. Nicky knew that his career path would be in a practical profession because of his academic ability. Nicky has since worked extremely hard on his theory work so much so that he has now convinced On-Site Bristol that he has the ability to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship and is now working towards this.

Steven R.

Steven lives in St George, and went to Speedwell Technology College. Steven gained nine GCSE’s at school, but none were at grade C or above. He chose to train in construction having done two weeks’ work experience with a local builder and had helped with DIY jobs around the house.

Steven joined On-Site Bristol straight from school, in August 2004, and was employed by a small building company from the start of his training. He went directly into an Apprenticeship, attending City of Bristol College on a day release basis.

Steven is a bricklaying apprentice who has excelled with his company and has now become an indispensable member of the team. The effort, pride and care taken on building his NVQ portfolio of evidence was exceptional and has been praised by the City of Bristol College. Steven completed all the elements of his Apprenticeship Framework on time, in July 2006, and he is now working towards his Advanced Apprenticeship.

Steven was awarded “Best in Trade – Brickwork” at the on-Site Bristol Awards Ceremony in October 2006, winning himself an engraved trophy, framed certificate and £100 in tools vouchers.

Ben F.

Ben, from Whitehall, left Speedwell Technology College in 2001, without any formal qualifications. He had a few labouring jobs before applying to On-Site Bristol so that he could become a skilled bricklayer. Ben started his Apprenticeship in September 2003.

Ben soon showed that, despite having struggled at school, he had a real aptitude for practical skills and produced excellent work. He achieved his Intermediate Construction Award and NVQ level two in July 2005 completing the rest of his Apprenticeship Framework soon after.

Ben moved on to his Advanced Apprenticeship in his third year but after feedback from his employer it was apparent his company would not have to right sort of work to complete this Advanced Apprenticeship. On-Site Bristol arranged for Ben to work with another employer long enough for him to collect the outstanding evidence required. Ben has now completed his Advanced Apprenticeship and has shown an outstanding commitment and willingness to learn along the way, together with the ability to produce some fine brickwork both in college and at work.

In October 2006, Ben became “Apprentice of the Year” at the On-Site Bristol Awards Ceremony. He was awarded with an engraved trophy, a framed certificate and £150 in tools vouchers.