Grantham College plastering student Tom Rout has been congratulated by the managing director of the company that employs him after taking second place in a regional skills competition – and potentially gaining a place in the national final.
Tom, who is an apprentice with local building company Larkfleet Homes (www.larkfleethomes.co.uk), took part in the regional SkillBuild competition run by the Construction Industry Training Board.
The task set this year was to build a structure from a set drawing within a six hour time limit. Tom entered the competition last year and finished third. This year he completed his fibrous moulds more swiftly and moved one place up the rankings. He must now wait to hear whether he has won a place in the national final.
Tom is studying on a Level 3 plastering course at Grantham College whilst also working for Larkfleet Homes when not at college.
Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: “It is not easy to be studying and working at the same time and all of us at Larkfleet are proud of what Tom has achieved. It is a testament to the hard work he has put in.
“It is also a testament to the quality both of the Grantham College training and the Larkfleet apprentice scheme. Despite the recession in the house-building industry we have continued to take on apprentices, creating jobs for local youngsters and developing a skilled workforce for the future.”
Larkfleet Homes is the company behind plans to build a 1,300-home estate at Manthorpe (just north of Grantham) that would meet the need for high quality new housing in the area.
The plan for the development itself includes a care retirement community and a neighbourhood centre including a primary school and a health care facility as well as shops and a pub or hotel.