Cee-Jay Lazenby, 18, is the latest youngster to come through the NCT Skills For Life ranks after progressing from our JEF-CEP traineeship into an apprenticeship with North East construction company, JD Construction.
The young apprentice from Amble, Northumberland, made the progression into a bricklaying career after a successful two-week trial with the company.
She commented: “JD Construction took me on after a two-week trial and they have treated me really well.
“NCT Skills have really helped me massively”, she added on the support provided by the Newcastle-based training company. “I wanted to do joinery, but I found more confidence in bricklaying. I started with the JEF-CEP course, enjoyed the military experiences they offered and signed up for an apprenticeship after four weeks.
“I never thought I’d have this opportunity so soon, especially as I thought it might be harder to find a construction job as a female.”
Cee-Jay also had some advice for fellow youngsters to savour, saying that opportunities such as those provided by NCT Skills should be grasped with both hands.
“Girls shouldn’t be worried about working in the world of construction; if it’s something you really want, you should go for it!”
Joe Davison of JD Construction added: “We were really impressed by Cee-Jay – her work ethic and the standard of bricklaying is excellent. It’s fantastic to have her working with us, we’re really happy to have her as part of the team.
“NCT Skills worked closely with us to help find the best candidate to fit our recruitment criteria and we couldn’t be more pleased. If you’re thinking about taking on an apprentice you should definitely contact them – the service we have had has been great.”
NCT Skills tutor, Gurdeep Bassi, commented “We’re so proud of Cee-Jay – she has been a model student and really deserved this apprenticeship. We’re committed to establishing strong long-term relationships with employers so we can ensure even more of our quality apprentices are getting quality on site experience. It’s really pleasing to have the support of JD Construction and we look forward to helping them find more top apprentices in the future!”
NCT Skills’ JEF-CEP programme gives youngsters aged 16-18 the opportunity to undertake a 12-week training programme where they experience Army life and benefit from learning the basic skills of construction trades including bricklaying, plastering, roofing and joinery. Upon completion, if learners are interested in a career in one of the construction trades, they are interviewed with a view to starting an apprenticeship.
The next JEF-CEP programme starts on Monday 16 January 2017 – anyone interested in signing up should email lauren.bell@nctskills.com