Trainee plumbers Lewis Summerson, on left, and Tom Wilcox, on the right.

Lovell has taken on trainee plumbers Tom Wilcox and Lewis Summerson, both aged 19, and 21-year-old apprentice carpenter Joel Williams to work on the major maintenance reactive building repairs and electrical maintenance services contract for 2,650 homes it began earlier this year for Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA).

Lovell will support Tom and Joel, both from Barry, and Lewis, from Canton, Cardiff, as they study for qualifications in their chosen trades. The three apprentices will attend Cardiff and Vale College, Barry, on day release and gain on-site experience working on the CCHA scheme, supervised by qualified construction professionals.

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Tom and Lewis are working towards NVQ Level 2 qualifications in plumbing while Joel, who has already passed his NVQ Level 2 award is studying for the advanced NVQ Level 3 qualification in carpentry.

"It's great to have the backing of a national company as I work towards my qualifications," said Lewis. "Lovell is both supporting me in my college studies and giving me the opportunity to gain the practical working experience I need to really learn my trade," said Tom.

"Creating training opportunities such as these apprenticeships for Tom, Lewis and Joel, is a priority for Lovell and never more so at a time of rising youth unemployment," said Simon Medler, managing director of the Lovell repairs and maintenance business. "We want to leave a lasting legacy in the communities where we work, including the enduring benefits that result from new job and training opportunities."

The four-year CCHA contract involves the Lovell team delivering reactive building maintenance and repair services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to the building fabric, drainage and electrical installations of occupied and void homes owned by the housing association.

(CD/GK)