Meet the Estates apprentices helping to keep campus running
It takes all kinds of specialist skills to keep our campus running – from medical maestros and coffee-making connoisseurs to Estates experts.
We spoke with Estates apprentices Sean John, Ben Kelly and Evan Underwood to hear how they’re honing their crafts and being recognised for their progress - including a win at the CIBSE Apprentice of the Year awards for Sean.
Sean John
Job title: Apprentice Electrician, Estates.
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Favourite thing about Warwick: "It’s a lovely place to work, with lots of interesting buildings across campus. I get to meet so many tradespeople from different walks of life, who are happy to pass on their knowledge to me."
Favourite thing about the role: "I like the fact that it's a mixture of practical and academic."
An apprentice award-winner: "I was entered into the CIBSE Apprentice of the Year Award, and earlier this month I was awarded third place!
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One of the projects I’m most proud of is installing industrial racking to carry cables for WMG, which led to the smooth functioning of machinery and equipment worth over £1 million. You can find out more about my work in this video."
Ben Kelly
Job title: Apprentice Painter Decorator, Estates.
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Average day for Ben: "An average day for me might involve helping to refurbish student accommodation, to keep it looking good as new."
A recent achievement: "I wanted to improve my ‘cutting in’ when painting, which is the art of drawing a straight line separating two colours using only a paintbrush – no masking tape or other equipment.
I took part in a training session arranged by Phil Heritage, who’s the Training and CPD Officer for Estates, and my cutting skills improved significantly – so much so that I was then entered into a Skillbuilders competition, where I had to prove them!
There were 14 entrants to Skillbuilders, and I was one of only six who fully completed the task.
I’m now more driven and thorough in what I do, and my new skills mean I’m trusted to go out onto site solo to complete tasks and projects."
Evan Underwood
Job title: Apprentice Gardener / Groundsperson, Estates.
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Evan's job involves: "Lots - I spend time cutting turf, spreading fertiliser, painting sports pitch lines, and ground levelling."
Favourite thing about Warwick: "There's always lots to do with a campus this big!"
Apprentice of the Year nomination: "I passed my NPTC tractor assessment on my first attempt, which is a really rare achievement.
Because my team was so impressed with my work, I was put forward for the City of Coventry’s Freeman Guild Apprentice of the Year award. Although I didn't win this time, Warwick's Beth Russell was presented with the award - and Warwick was named Apprentice Employer of the Year.
Now, as I prepare for end-point assessment and my apprenticeship comes to an end, I’m taking part in a Pa1 Pa6 spraying course, which provides thorough training in the safe use and operation of pesticide equipment."