A Newport teenager has started his career in the construction industry as an apprentice on a city centre building site. Brychan Lock, 18, is working in the former Argos shop on Stow Hill. He is helping to convert the building into 36 apartments and three commercial units for Newport City Homes.
He said: “It’s good, I really enjoy it. Every Thursday I'm in Coleg Gwent in Pontypool where I do the theory work. A typical day starts at 7.30am and I help to put up joists and flooring. Then every few weeks my assessor gives a hand with my written work.”
The homes are being built by the SGR Group.
Mark Griffiths, construction contracts manager, said: “He’s on carpentry now but if there are quiet days he helps out with other areas. It’s good for him to see and learn how we all work together on a site. From day one he quickly picked up the basics as he shadowed our team.”
Brychan got the role through Y Prentis, an organisation who help find placements for apprentices on construction sites across south east Wales.
Laura Palfrey, development partnerships coordinator with Newport City Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to hear how well Brychan has settled in. He’s playing a key part in transforming this large building in Newport into new homes and business units.”
Nicola Murray, assistant programme manager from Y Prentis, said: “We were thrilled to get Brychan this placement to give him the best experience of learning on the job with time in college.
“He was working as a labourer last year and was keen to get into carpentry with an employer who could support him through his qualifications. We employed him at Y Prentis and talked to our partners who were happy to help.
“Thanks to teaming up with Newport City Homes and the SGR Group he is thriving both on site and in college.”