Due to the unprecedented times the awards evening was held virtually celebrating the incredible successes of outstanding apprentices, trailblazing employers and cutting-edge training providers, hosted by BBC Points West's, Steve Knibbs.
Steve Knibbs, host of the awards and reporter for BBC Points West, said: "The award for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships in Gloucestershire is judged by a panel and presented to an individual or organisation who has helped to drive the county's apprenticeship campaigns through inspiration, energy and imagination. The winner of the award was selected by all the judges as a stand-out winner for 2020, who deserved to be recognised for their ongoing commitment to apprenticeships right across the region."
Rob joined E G Carter & Co Ltd in 2015, and from his first day on-site has embraced the opportunity provided. Rob initially applied for a trade apprenticeship but had such a hunger and desire to learn about every aspect of the industry, E G Carter & Co Ltd felt that a Management Trainee scheme would suit him better. Rob was enthused by this and spent his first 18 months on one of our housing projects in Highbridge. Unfazed by the travelling, Rob very quickly developed a positive working relationship with his colleagues on-site and worked as a site number 3 to successfully deliver 76 units to a good quality, to time, and budget. Rob has progressed into the role of a Site Manager, completing a couple of projects in this role and he is now currently overseeing the day-to-day operations of our most prestigious housing project in Cricklade.
Joshua Carter, Director at E G Carter & Co Ltd said, “Rob has brought a youth and exuberance into our pool of Site Managers, challenging some of the processes, updating templates and policy on his sites. Helping some of our senior team members embrace technology and new ideas, Rob has brought what he has learned in a classroom environment within college, into a practical example on-site. He has also set the example for Management Trainees coming through the team, since Rob joined in 2015 our Partnership Housing Team have committed to at least one, more often two, new recruits each year. This decision is in part to the calibre of applications we receive, but equally to how committed, conscientious, and positive Rob has been. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow into the Site Manager he is today.”
Robert said “I chose the apprenticeship route because I wanted to learn with practical experience. I have sometimes struggled to fully express myself within a classroom environment, so the idea of an apprenticeship and learning while working and gaining experience was a clear choice for me. The opportunity provided by E G Carter & Co Ltd and the management trainee scheme was not one I was familiar with until I came for interview but was an obvious choice and one I don’t regret. Learning from people with a huge amount of experience in the role I aspire to has been a great opportunity and one that has got me to the position I am in today.”
E G Carter & Co Ltd look forward to seeing Rob continue on his construction journey.