Work experience programme leads to full-time employment for Connor

: Created: 21 February 2018

Connor is currently half-way through his Brickwork Level 2 Diploma course at London South East Colleges and has already achieved his main objective even before completing his full qualification.

His supervisor, Contracts Manager Don Mickevicius, was so impressed with Connor’s good attitude, attention to detail and willingness to learn that he made the decision to ask the 21-year-old from Swanscombe in Kent, to stay on and work for four days a week until he completes his course in July.

Praising Connor, Don said: “I could tell, after just a few days on site, that Connor is going to make a very good bricklayer. He is as good now as some of the fully-qualified agency staff I’ve employed in the past. He has great potential to succeed and earn a very good living in this trade.”

The Quarry development is a joint venture between the Anderson Group and L&Q. SMB are a subcontractor for the partnership.

The development, now in its second year, aims to deliver a new three-form-entry primary school for 630 children alongside over 600 modern homes. It is located on a 50-acre, former quarry site and will soon be transformed into a modern and spectacular community, making a positive contribution to the local community and economy.

Connor said: “I’m delighted to be offered a job working on this amazing development and I’m still in shock at how quickly things have moved along.

“I’m grateful to Luke from the College’s work experience department for choosing me for the opportunity in which I’ve been able to showcase my skills and learn many new ones. I’ll still be attending the College one day per week and working for SMB in an ‘improver’ role. This status will continue for a while until I’m confident enough to work independently.

“Working here has given me exposure to so many construction professionals and I leave work at the end of each day knowing much more than what I did when I started work in the morning.”

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