National Apprenticeship Week

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The Sheerness Dockyard Trust and our contractors Coniston Ltd are committed to supporting apprenticeships and helping young people into work, so we are delighted to share our first ‘Meet the apprentice’ post during #nationalapprenticeshipweek



21 year old Tom Stower attended the local Oasis Academy Sheppey, and then studied Carpentry at Sheppey College. Since studying he has spent two years working towards his NVQ gaining as much workplace experience as possible, but he has been particularly keen to secure an opportunity to focus on building his carpentry skills.

Tom is delighted to now be working full time on the Dockyard Church restoration and is excited to be there at the start of the 18 month project, which he hopes will expand his skills by having the opportunity to work alongside a variety of trade specialists including those experienced in historic buildings. He has already been given training in a range of different workplace skills and is enjoying being part of the team.


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Tom said …

“I’m really happy to have this role working on such a brilliant project and just want to learn. It’s great being given the chance to show an employer what I’m capable of and having the opportunity to use my carpentry skills and prove that I can work hard.

The team are giving me support and encouragement, they happily give me advice and their time and show me how to do things, I want to be an asset to the site. It’s helpful to be able to talk to such experienced people who are willing to give me a chance. I’ve never had advice about my career before, young people need these role models and mentors to show them what’s possible in the industry.”

Tom secured his current role on site with Coniston thanks to 121 Recruitment Services, a local agency partnering with Coniston on the project.

Looking ahead, Tom hopes that gaining site experience and achieving his NVQ level 3 will enable him to become an independent carpenter, build up his skills, invest in tools and secure work full time for a company like Coniston.

The Church will open as a business enterprise hub for young people in Autumn 2022.

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Community, Project UpdateChris Fouldssheerness dockyarddockyard, church, sheerness, bluetown, sheppey, heritage, history, historic, restoration, rebuild, architecture, architectural, archaeologyComment