Pat D.

Pat comes from Stockwood and joined On-Site Bristol in July 2002 straight after leaving Broadlands School. His father is a builder, but work experience in plumbing helped Pat decide that he wanted to train to be a plumber. Pat was employed when he started his first year full-time further education at City of Bristol College, but was unlucky enough to be made redundant soon after starting his Advanced Apprenticeship in September 2003. A second employer was found quite quickly, but Pat had to move onto his third employer in August 2004.

At the time Pat started his training, the plumbing course was Advanced Apprenticeship only, rather than the current programme of completing an Apprenticeship first before going on to the level three Advanced Apprenticeship.

Soon after Pat started his training it became apparent that he had excellent practical ability but needed guidance through the underpinning knowledge of his course. He also needed some extra support with numeracy. With help from tutors at City of Bristol College, and his own hard work, Pat has been able to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship Framework on schedule and is now an accredited gas qualified plumber.

Andrew P.

Andrew lives in Tockington, on the northern outskirts of Bristol, and he works for a large heating and plumbing company based in Bradley Stoke. Andrew left Marlwood School in July 2003 and progressed through an Entry to Employment programme before starting his training in September 2003. Andrew was employed from the start of his training and was able to move onto an Apprenticeship in September 2004.

Andrew was originally employed by Westbury Homes, a house building company who loaned him out to Premier Plumbing & Heating. Premier Plumbing & Heating were so impressed with Andrew that they decided to employ him (in August 2005) on a full time basis, even though they were getting him free through Westbury Homes. Andrew has become the first plumbing apprentice through On-Site to complete his NVQ level 2 and is now working towards his Level 3 as part of his Advanced Apprenticeship Framework.

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