Fab four shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year award

Second Year Tom is shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year Construction, he was nominated by Russell WBHO Construction Director John Millward.

Fourth Year George is in line for Ambassador of the Year, having been nominated by Commercial Manager Andrew Walker, while Second Year Lizzie is up for the same award after being nominated by John Millward.

And Third Year Apprentice Isabelle May is also in the final after being nominated by Andrew Walker for the Rising Star award.

The quartet has been invited to attend the university awards night at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Tuesday February 7^th. They will be joined by Andrew Walker, Project Director Jonathan Rhodes, Health and Safety Head Darren Williams, and HR Manager Olivia Lea.

Russell WBHO has been working with the University of Salford for 18 years to offer degree level Professional Apprenticeships, to help plug the skills gap and raise the standards of new entrants into the construction industry.

The company supports trainees through a five-year part time construction degree while they also undertake the company’s in-house on-the-job training programme. The combined course was judged best in the North West as the University of Salford selected Russell WBHO as Best Large Employer at the Apprenticeship Awards 2019.

The programme sees trainees complete a series of rotations through each of the professional construction departments in the first two years, to gain a breadth of knowledge and help them select one area in which to specialise from Year 3 onwards.

This ‘real life’ experience combines with the academic learning to create well-rounded and knowledgeable professional graduates with the confidence and expertise to hit the ground running once fully qualified.

John Millward, who oversees the Building Student programme, said: “Our Building Students are among the best young construction professionals in the country and I am delighted to see four of them acknowledged by this shortlist.

“Driven, determined, intelligent and eager to make the most of the opportunity, these young people are a credit to our industry and each one deserves to win on their own merits.

“I must acknowledge the support and training of all the managers and mentors who work closely with our apprentices every day, and the company’s inclusive approach to professional development which ensures they not only learn the practical side of the job but also the teamwork and work ethic needed to succeed.

“I want to wish the very best of luck to Tom, Isabelle, Lizzie and George. Whatever happens on the night, you’re already winners to us.”