Wiltshire apprentice gifted new tools to help kickstart career

A young apprentice from Trowbridge has been gifted £250 worth of new tools as well as a Makita drill by Jewson Partnership Solutions in partnership with Wiltshire-based housing association, Aster Group.

Aster plumbing apprentice, Oliver Webb, 18, is one of four trainees who recently joined Aster and received the new tools.

Oliver said: “I’m so grateful for the gifted tools from Jewson. I really think doing an apprenticeship is the best way forward. You get that real life experience straight away, earning money, doing the work and learning. It gives you a great sense of what it’s like to work in the industry.

“When I found out I got the apprenticeship at Aster I was the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I’m very proud to be working for the company.”

Helen Walker, head of strategic partnerships at Jewson Partnership Solutions, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Aster. There’s a huge skills shortage in the construction industry so we wanted to make Oliver feel valued and give him a toolbox of his own to carry with him throughout his career.”

Jess Scull, apprentice partner at Aster, said: “Here at Aster we really value our relationships with partners, and this is a great example of our apprentices benefitting from these connections too. We can’t thank Jewson’s enough for the support and commitment to our next generation of skilled trades.”

Aster is committed to helping those looking to start their career or upskill in other areas through its apprenticeship programme.

From 2015 to 2022, Aster has supported 77 apprentices in completing their training and becoming fully qualified in a variety of roles from plumbing and carpentry, to housing and finance. Many of these apprentices have gone on to progress their careers within the company.

You can find out more about Aster’s apprenticeship programme at https://www.aster.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships.