KEEN fisherman Sam Greggans has netted one of Redrow’s top awards and been named ‘Apprentice of the Year’ for the North West area.

Sam, 20, from Norris Green, Liverpool, was presented with the title at the homebuilder’s annual Apprentice Excellence Awards, which celebrate the hard work and commitment of all apprentices across the Redrow business.

Trainee scaffolder Sam, who has almost completed his 18-month training course, was delighted with the honour:

“I have never been academic or a high-achiever in that respect so to have won this award makes me really proud – and my mum and dad too!

“It’s good for me, and others, to know that practical effort is rewarded too, and that it’s just as important.”

Sam was Redrow’s first ever scaffolding apprentice, following in the footsteps of hundreds of trainee plumbers, bricklayers and electricians who’ve learned their trade before him.

He credited building good on-site relationships, always asking questions and strong commitment – ‘I’m never off work’ – for his success and added he was delighted to know that his hard work and efforts had not gone unnoticed.

Daresbury-based Redrow Homes (NW) is building homes across Cheshire and parts of Merseyside, Greater Manchester and North Wales. Sam has worked on a number of those developments before arriving at his current base, Ledsham Garden Village, in West Cheshire, where Redrow is creating two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Several of Sam’s family members are in the scaffolding trade and his interest was cemented when he worked for his uncle on a number of occasions.

“I started a mechanics course at college but, when I realised it wasn’t for me, scaffolding seemed the obvious choice. I’d always enjoyed it. I will receive an NVQ Level 2 in Scaffolding when I have completed my training,”

“I work on site with Access Consultancy Services, where my mentor is Joe Cawley, who has been great as a trainer. I also attend Simian Risk, a company which provides scaffolding training and other construction courses, in Warrington, for two weeks out of every three months.”

He added:

“It’s perfect for me because I love working outside and on site, and I love the responsibility it gives me. If I don’t do my job properly and well, people could be in danger. That’s why I take great pride in my job and, while I didn’t expect it, I am so made up with the award.”

Karen Jones, Group HR director for Redrow, said:

“Apprentices are not only at the heart of our business but also a vital component in ensuring the success of our economy. That’s why Redrow invests so much into the next generation of talent and people like Sam.

“It is wonderful to see apprentices doing well and going on to successful careers, and we are delighted to have played our role. But the praise goes to them and in particular those like Sam, our first apprentice scaffolder, who go above and beyond what it expected of them to ensure they do a great job.”

Redrow offers a wide range of apprenticeships, including carpentry, electrical, bricklaying and plumbing, as well as office-based apprentices in a variety of administration, technical and commercial roles.

Around 15% of Redrow’s total workforce are apprentices or trainees and Redrow has been a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer for many years.

For more information on becoming an apprentice with Redrow, visit www.redrowcareers.co.uk/apprentices