A major new housing development at Openshaw, east Manchester, is giving two bricklaying apprentices the opportunity to cement the latest stage of their construction careers.

Lovell is building the new Fairfields development which is the first phase of a £65 million, 432-home regeneration scheme at Openshaw. The regeneration programme, overseen by New East Manchester, will replace old terraced housing with modern, energy-efficient homes for rent and for sale.

Construction apprentice Andrew Wood, 29, from Middleton, is combining working on site at Openshaw with studying for an NVQ Level 3 qualification in bricklaying. He came into construction relatively late, after being made redundant from an office job. Having already gained his NVQ Level 2 in bricklaying, Andrew's on site experience at Openshaw is enabling him to gain the practical experience he needs to complete his NVQ training. Also based on site at Openshaw is bricklaying apprentice Rob Doran, 21, from Heywood, who is combining working on site with studying for an NVQ Level 2 qualification in bricklaying on a block release basis.

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On site at Openshaw, Andrew and Rob are supervised by qualified Lovell bricklayers Danny Smith, from Middleton, and Liam Charles, from Droylsden, who have both been through the Lovell apprentice training programme and have now been taken on full-time with the company.

Lovell Craft Trainee Supervisor Paul Woby said: "Having our former apprentices on hand to work with our current crop of trainees is an excellent way to help them fulfil their potential. Danny and Liam have consistently produced work of the highest standard and this made them the ideal candidates to mentor Andrew and Rob. We've been impressed with Andrew and Rob's progress and look forward to continuing to help them develop their skills through our apprentice training programme."

(CD/JM)