Award-winner building his career

Award-winning apprentice bricklayer Aaron Armstrong, a Hartlepool College student, is presented with his award.

Aaron Armstrong beat stiff competition to win an award in the Northern Section Guild of Bricklayers competition.

The Level Two Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) apprentice works for homebuilder Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire.

The 19-year-old, who has worked for the company for 18 months, won the junior section of the competition.

The apprentice said: “Learning on the job has been invaluable to my career development, and the support I have received from Taylor Wimpey has been incredible.”

Fellow worker Shane Pearson, 18, won the senior section.

The New Gurham College student said: “After winning the competition in 2015, it was an amazing experience to compete at a higher level and come first in the senior division.

“With Taylor Wimpey, I gained first-hand experience about how a site works, which gave me the winning boost I needed during the competition.”

On the day, the apprentices received a plan of a construction project, after which they have six hours to build it. Their designs are then reviewed by an expert panel of programme leaders.

Debbie Whittingham, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire, added: “It’s fantastic to see Aaron and Shane succeeding in regional competitions, and I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the whole company.

“Now, we look forward to their participation in the National Guild of Bricklayers competition later this year, and wish them the best of luck.”

For further information on apprenticeships with Taylor Wimpey, visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk