Apprentices building HQ home in on new career

All Hands on deck . . . seven of the 11 apprentices, from left, Ayyaz Ahmed, Ben Mansfield, Luke Wood, Sean Waugh, Brandon Nuttall, Connor Murphy and Danny Fairfoul.

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THESE apprentices have played a huge part in bringing First Choice Homes Oldham’s brand new headquarters to life.

The flagship Union Street HQ (see below), built by contractor Willmott Dixon, has employed apprentice heating engineers, electricians, dryliners and painters and decorators.

Oldham based sub-contractors including Lewis Facilities, Met-Excel and John Martin Painting and Decorating are among those who have employed apprentices during the 12-month project.

Many apprentices were provided through the Greater Manchester Construction Group Training Association (GTA) Shared Apprenticeship Scheme and will be moving on to other local projects — including the new leisure centres in Oldham and Royton — to develop their skills.

One of FCHO’s own apprentice electricians, Ayyaz Ahmed, was given valuable experience on the new building working with Chadderton-based Lewis Facilities.

Ayyaz (34), from Glodwick, was a full-time taxi driver before becoming an apprentice electrician at FCHO last November.

He said: “It takes time to master a trade and this role has taught me that. I’ve really enjoyed working on the new HQ, and learned a lot from paying attention to experienced operatives.

“I’ve worked on bigger capacity cables that I would not have the opportunity to work on in a domestic setting. I want to be competent in all areas of trade and aspire to achieve the level of those I’ve been working alongside.

“FCHO is a good place to work and I get to work with lots of helpful people.

“The range of skills that I am learning and the training opportunities that are offered are great, and it’s a steady and reliable source of work and close to home.“