Continue reading »]]> People inspired by the popular BBC show The Apprentice are being given their own chance to carve out a new career with the launch of the annual Next Steps competition in Carmarthenshire.

Now in its fourth year, the competition throws open the door to anyone who is aged 16 or over and living in the county who has dreams of a career in the construction industry.

Next Steps is run by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership of Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gâr and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd – in conjunction with Llanelli and Gwendraeth-based construction firm Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

It gives six people – men or women – the chance to compete for a two-year paid apprenticeship with Lloyd & Gravell in either carpentry, plastering or bricklaying.

Originally intended as a one-off project when it launched in 2010, the competition has gone from strength to strength.

Three people have won apprenticeships and 30 more have gone on to either traditional apprenticeship, Shared Apprenticeship or Pathways to Apprenticeship courses in Carmarthenshire.

Brynamman’s Iwan Thomas, 32, who became the first ever winner in 2010, is now almost fully qualified as a carpenter and has represented Wales at national skills competitions.

Jamie Owens, 22, of Trimsaran, won Next Steps 2011, and is now coming to the end of his second year of his Lloyd & Gravell apprenticeship.

And 16-year-old Thornton Boswell from Llanelli, who had just finished sitting his GCSEs when he won the competition last year, is just finishing his first year as an apprentice carpenter.

Phil Lumley, Head of Property Services for Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the success of Next Steps and the opportunities it has given to so many local people. With the ongoing generous support of Lloyd & Gravell, we are delighted to announce that the competition will run once again this year.”

Last year, Next Steps took on an added twist when it introduced a community benefit element to the competition.

The final six participants worked throughout the summer to build a sensory garden for learning and physically disabled children at Llanelli’s Ysgol Heol Goffa.

Kevin Gravell, Director of Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, said: “We are currently looking to identify a new community benefit project– we were so proud of what we achieved last year, and everyone was keen that we should leave yet another lasting legacy from Next Steps 2013.”

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Next Steps 2012 winner Thornton Boswell

A TEENAGER fresh out of school has landed his dream job in the construction industry after winning Next Steps 2012 – a unique competition to find a new building apprentice for Carmarthenshire.

Thornton Boswell, of Felinfoel, Llanelli, has only just picked up his GCSE results from Bryngwyn School, but this week he started work for Llanelli and Gwendraeth-based building firm Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

Thornton was one of six candidates who have taken part in the competition throughout the summer in a bid to win a fast-track to their chosen career.

And whilst competing against each other for the coveted job, they worked together as a team to complete a project that would benefit the community and leave a lasting legacy.

The 16-year-old said he was ‘over the moon’ to have won the competition, and started his first day of his carpentry apprenticeship on Monday.

“I really didn’t expect to win – I’m really happy,” he said. “Chances like this don’t come around often for young boys like me.”

The winner was announced at a ceremony held on Friday, August 31, at Parc Y Scarlets.

Continue reading »]]> FOR the first time in its three-year history, the Next Steps project has left a lasting legacy in the community.

Despite being in competition with each other, all six candidates pulled together to create a new sensory garden for children with special needs at Llanelli’s Ysgol Heol Goffa.

Over the summer, they have worked for free alongside Lloyd & Gravell staff to completely overhaul the garden area at the school, creating a Safari-themed adventure playground with different textures and themes designed to stimulate the childrens’ senses.

Headteacher Nikki Symmons said: “I had no idea when Lloyd & Gravell first approached me the extent of the project they were proposing. It has completely exceeded all our expectations, and we are all so very grateful for everything they have done.

“They have worked so hard, in all kinds of weather, to get the work done on time, and I know that this will be enjoyed by our pupils for many years.

“They should be so proud of what they have achieved, and I hope that they know how grateful we all are here at Ysgol Heol Goffa.”

The sensory garden project was one which Lloyd & Gravell staff came up with themselves, having been asked to come up with ideas for a community project.

“As a company we try and give back as much as we can to our communities,” said Kevin Gravell.  “The Heol Goffa project was dear to our hearts as a company and to the workforce – we have previously undertaken works at the school and the families of a number of our staff have connections with the school. 

“We were thrilled to be able to give the boys such a worthwhile project to do as part of the competition.”

Next Steps 2012 winner, Thornton Boswell, said: “I feel very happy that I saw the kids’ reactions – they looked over the moon with the work we’ve done. I’d like to thank all the people I’ve worked with that have helped me over the last six weeks – they’ve put the fun side in as well which has made me keep going. It’s been fun, and hard – but worth it.”

The sensory garden will make its first public appearance at the school’s family fun day on Saturday, September 8.

Continue reading »]]> Next Steps is supported by several local companies and organisations. This year, we would like to give a very big thank you to the following:

• Ski Pembrey, who hosted the first reward and forfeit experience. Whilst the winning team enjoyed a skiing lesson and free time on the ski slope, the others had some weeding to do…
• Ffos Las Racecourse, who offered a VIP hospitality package to the winning team, and a forfeit where the boys had to fix the fences and divots after each race
• LBS Builders Merchants who sponsored kit bags for all six candidates
• Parc Y Scarlets who hosted and supported the winner’s ceremony
• Lewis Partnership architects who designed the sensory garden at Ysgol Heol Goffa
• Gwendraeth Valley Tarmacadam and Raymond’s Bodyshop (01269 860410) who provided goods and services for the sensory garden