Alex Mychalyszyn has secured a place on the national Lovell apprentice training programme. The 18-year-old is starting his career as a member of the Lovell site team working ona £2.77 million scheme to build 23 new affordable homes for Waterloo Housing Group on the site of a former pub at Valley Road in Carlton, near Nottingham.
In addition to his work on site, Alex is attending New College Nottingham on a day release basis where he is studying for an NVQ Level 2 qualification in Bricklaying.
“After leaving Sixth Form, I enrolled at New College Nottingham to study for a Level 1 Diploma qualification in Brickwork,” explains Alex. “The college recommended me to Lovell and I was invited to go for an interview. The company’s apprenticeship scheme is ideal – it gives me the opportunity to gain practical experience on site, and continue with the theoretical side of my studies.”
Throughout his apprenticeship, Alex will receive support and guidance from Lovell regional training advisor Sharon Tyer, who oversees his training.
“I’m loving every minute of training so far – I feel like I’ve learned so much already,” says Alex. “On site, I’m working alongside a number of experienced bricklayers and they have all been really helpful and made me feel part of the team. It’s reassuring to know that I can go and ask them if there’s anything I’m unsure of.”
“Alex possesses all of the attributes needed to become a first-class bricklayer,” says Sharon Tyer, regional training advisor for Lovell, which has local offices at Interchange 25, Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre. “We’re really looking forward to working with him to develop his skills and help him build a long and successful construction career.”
At the Valley Road housing site, Waterloo is developing 17 homes for rent and six houses to buy through shared ownership.
Susan Read, a board member of Waterloo Housing Group and a Nottingham resident, said: “Homes and jobs go hand in hand in creating thriving communities. It is rewarding to see that our investment in this project, together with the £1.1 million of Government grant we have secured from the Homes and Communities Agency, is helping to meet the shortage of affordable homes. Significantly, it is also equipping local young people like Alex with career-enhancing skills, while securing existing jobs in the construction trade too.”
Gedling Borough Council supported Waterloo Housing Group’s efforts to develop this derelict site for much-needed affordable housing. The council’s planning department and Urban Design Officer provided expert input to help refine the design, and then worked to ensure the scheme was presented to its planning committee in time to meet a strict deadline for receiving grant funding from the Government. The council also hosted a public information event at the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton to give local residents the chance to discuss the plans and give their views. The council is now working with Waterloo Housing Group to look at other redevelopment opportunities in the borough.
Cllr Alan Bexon, portfolio holder for development and enterprise at Gedling Borough Council, said: “This new development will bring much-needed affordable family homes to the area and I’m pleased the project is also able to offer this opportunity to Alex, who will be able to learn the skills to allow him to develop his future career.”
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