An apprentice bricklayer has made a good impression with bosses at Bloor Homes and been made trainee manager.

Phil Barrett, who is a former student at Riverside College in Widnes, was introduced to the UK’s largest privately-owned House building company and immediately showed his talent and dedication.

He started at Bloor Homes on work experience while he was a student at the college and, after impressing staff, he was offered a brickwork apprenticeship and has now progressed onto the Bloor Homes trainee site management scheme.

The scheme provides opportunities for a successful future career in construction.

With more than 1,200 employees all over the country, Bloor Homes has been working with Riverside College to support four brickwork students to become apprentices, training with the industry specialists and moving on to become full time bricklayers with the company.

Phil said: “I always wanted to progress in the construction industry and learn more so the first step towards that was going onto the management side.

“I took the chance and applied for the trainee manager job and when I was successful, I was over the moon because I knew it was the beginning of a successful journey.

“The support I’ve had from Riverside College and the teachers has helped me tremendously and they were always there which I am very grateful for.”

Ian Colligan, brickwork tutor at the college, said: “It is extremely rare for someone so young to be selected for this type of opportunity and it is a testimony to his dedication and hard work that he has now been rewarded with a fantastic opportunity to further his career within the construction industry.

“We all wish Phil the best of luck for the future - he has been a pleasure to teach and is a credit to himself and his family.”