Sean Williams has been named North West Apprentice of the Year by G4C, the young professional voice of the UK built environment industry, who see him as a future leader.
The former bricklaying apprentice from Abergele, now an under-graduate on our sponsored degree programme, was chosen for his positive impact on the industry and his commitment to personal development.
Sean, 19, who works out of our North West offices in Daresbury, Cheshire, was nominated for the award by our learning and development team, who described him as “a high achiever who epitomises Redrow’s ‘earn while you learn’ approach to inspiring the next generation to build”.
A previous winner of our regional apprentice of the year, Sean officially completed his apprenticeship last August, achieving a Level 3 diploma for advanced craftwork in brickwork.
He worked briefly for sub-contractor Clwyd Brickwork (with whom he had been placed during his apprenticeship) before enrolling for our Construction Management in Housebuilding degree course, which is run in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University and Coleg Cambria.
We received 800 applications for just 22 places on the course, primarily targeting external candidates with either 3 A levels at grade B or above or an equivalent Level 3 Qualification in a construction related subject. Sean was the only trade candidate to be given a place, which reflects his hard work, talent and ambition.
On receiving the G4C (Generation for Change) title, Sean said: “I’m ecstatic. By winning this award, continuing to promote the industry and showing how it’s possible to forge a career path via the apprenticeship route, I will hopefully inspire the next generation of young people to build. Like me, I hope they will strive to achieve their goals and progress as far as they can.
“I’ve already come so far from starting my apprenticeship to joining Redrow’s degree programme and I hope to go even further. I decided early in my apprenticeship that I wanted to develop a career in construction. The traditional route would have been to work as a bricklaying contractor for a while before becoming a trainee assistant site manager, then eventually a site manager. The Redrow degree course has opened up other doors.
“I may still follow the site manager route, hoping one day to become a construction director; but the knowledge and skills I am learning now could see me head in a different direction, as I’ll be spending time in the land and commercial departments too. One thing’s certain – my future definitely lies in construction.”
“I’d really like to thank Redrow’s learning and development team and the construction team at Redrow North West for helping me get to where I am and supporting me the whole way."
During his time as an apprentice Sean acted as a mentor to other apprentice bricklayers, many of whom were older than him. He also represented us at careers events, including one in Liverpool where he spoke to more than 300 young people and their parents over the course of three days.
Always eager to develop his own skills Sean has recently signed up for a Fire Warden’s course, First Aid training and to resume his role as an ‘ambassador’ promoting careers in construction to young people.
Jack Cook, North West chair for G4C, a UK-wide multi-discipline network dedicated to ‘Constructing Excellence’ and shaping the future of the built environment, said: “The judges highlighted how Sean deserves this award, due to him previously winning Redrow’s regional apprentice of the year for his approach and hard work, plus his dedication to his profession, being an ambassador for his trade and trying to help others in forming a good career in the construction industry. Being the only trade person who got onto Redrow’s degree programme highlights how much he has achieved in such a small space of time and the judges are convinced he will be a future leader for our industry.."
