A new build development that will provide much-needed affordable homes is also supporting jobs and creating training opportunities during construction.
Apprentice bricklayer Dan Gamrot is building a strong foundation for his career by gaining hands-on experience on a building site in Murton, County Durham. The 19-year-old started his bricklaying apprenticeship with believe housing, one of the largest housing associations in northeast England, last September.
Based in the housing association’s Property Repairs Team, his role includes repointing brickwork, building garden walls, and repairing chimneys in customers’ homes.
To gain extra experience early in his training, which includes one day a week at Hartlepool College of Further Education, the Development Team at believe housing secured him a placement working on its new build scheme at Murton. Builder T Manners & Sons Ltd and subcontractor Buildroute Ltd have welcomed Dan into their bricklaying squads, which are currently building 22 affordable homes for the housing association at Bevan Square.
Dan, from Hartlepool, said: “I knew I wanted to work in construction. Being outside is good and doing physical work suits me more than an office job — that never sounded fun to me.
“The apprenticeship is a great opportunity for me to get a secure job. Being on a new build site shows me a different world. You have to work hard, be meticulous and pay attention nonstop to stay safe and avoid mistakes. I’m really learning a lot, and the team here has made my life a lot easier.
“It is good to see houses come up out of the ground. I was standing on the foundations a few weeks back, and now the walls are getting higher, and rooms are coming along.
“I imagine I’ll come past them in years to come and feel proud, knowing I helped to build them.”
It is estimated that every £1 invested in new social housing generates £2.84 in the wider economy, boosting regional economic growth and employment opportunities.
Mark Dunn, a Repairs Team Leader at believe housing, is delighted that one of his team’s young employees is benefiting from those opportunities.
Mark commented: “It is great that the Property Repairs and Development Teams at believe housing have worked together to secure this opportunity for Dan and we’re grateful to the construction companies onsite for supporting the start of his career.
“I don’t think you can get better experience in the trades than working onsite. You learn how to work to high standards under pressure and the experience you gain gives you greater independence, initiative, and knowledge of the other trades.
“Working on this site is a good opportunity for Dan, and he can take this experience forward when he’s working in customers’ homes.”
Chris Sinclair, Contracts Manager for T Manners & Sons Ltd, added: “believe housing’s approach to in-house talent development matches with our own and that’s why we’re especially happy to support this learning opportunity.
“Building more affordable homes is absolutely vital and so Dan is part of a really important team that is providing these essential properties for individuals and families for the future in our local area.”
Header image: Mark Dunn, Repairs Team Leader at believe housing, catches up with Apprentice Bricklayer Dan Gamrot on the housing association’s new build site at Bevan Square, Murton, where T Manners & Son Ltd is building 22 new affordable homes.
