Three apprentices are kickstarting their construction careers through a major new homes development in King’s Lynn.
They will hone their practical skills as members of the team from housing developer Lovell delivering the 130 homes which make up the Orchard Place development, off Marsh Lane.
The development is being created through a new partnership between Lovell and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, which is bringing much-needed new homes to the area, as well as an important community legacy in the form of job and training opportunities.
Pictured above at the Orchard Place development are, front, left to right: apprentices Lukas Misevicius, Harry Knight and Josh Philp-Hammond. Back row, left to right: Lovell Senior Site Manager Russell Edwards; Lovell Regional Training Advisor Jo Scott and Alan Gillings, Clerk of Works for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
Newly-recruited apprentices Harry Knight from Terrington St Clement, near King’s Lynn; Lukas Misevicius from King’s Lynn and Josh Philp-Hammond from Marshland St James, near Wisbech, are among the first to benefit. Working at Orchard Place is giving the trio the essential on-site experience they need to complete their professional qualifications.
Cllr Alistair Beales, Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Corporate Projects and Assets, commented: “Providing training opportunities for young people is another benefit of the partnership we have with Lovell. These young people will become the workforce of the future. It is vital that they can gain real-life experience alongside their qualifications so that they can develop into fully-fledged, much-needed tradespeople.”
Lovell Regional Managing director Simon Medler said: “Delivering training opportunities for local people is an integral part of our large-scale housebuilding programme in partnership with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. We want the work we’re doing in the area to bring about lasting long-term benefits, with investment in new jobs and training alongside the new homes now taking shape. We’re delighted to welcome Lukas, Harry and Josh to the Lovell team and look forward to helping them progress to the next stage of their construction careers.”
Over the next two years, Josh and Harry will study for Level 2 NVQ qualifications in bricklaying attending college on day-release. Carpenter Lukas will spend the next 18 months working towards his advanced Level 3 NVQ in carpentry.
Apprentice Bricklayer Harry Knight, 17, said: “This is my first experience of working on site and I’m really enjoying it. The advantage of being on a large development like this is that there are a lot of different house types so I’m getting a range of experience and the chance to learn different things.”
Lukas Misevicius, 23, is also making the most of the opportunity to work on site, having already completed his initial NVQ Level 2 carpentry qualifications. Lukas commented: “I’m getting the experience I need that will help me get a job and it’s helping me feel more confident about my work. I like the way that every day is different. Working for a company like Lovell also opens up other opportunities for me such as training to be a site manager in the future.”
Each of the three trainees will be earning as they learn, with Lovell providing tools and clothing for each of the recruits as well as funding their apprenticeships, including paying college fees. Each apprentice will be mentored by Lovell Regional Training Advisor Jo Scott.
The Orchard Place development is part of a major housebuilding programme by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and Lovell which is set to deliver 355 new open market sale and affordable homes over the next three years.
