Young construction professional Chester Rowles has nailed double success having been promoted by our Loftus Garden Village housing developer Lovell and shortlisted for a major award.
The high-achieving 25-year-old, from Caerleon, is celebrating winning promotion from apprentice carpenter to trainee site manager.
In addition, he’s underlined his reputation as a rising star by being picked as a finalist for the best Young Apprentice of the Year title in the Monmouthshire Business Awards. Sponsored by training partnership Y Prentis, the Young Apprentice category recognises an exceptional candidate who has made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.
Chester joined Lovell in 2015 building the foundations of his construction career as a member of the company’s team delivering our 250-home Loftus Garden Village. Having identified Chester’s potential and talent, Lovell has now promoted him to a trainee site manager position.
“Chester has excelled throughout his apprenticeship, both on site and at college,” says Lovell regional training advisor Darryl Williams. “He applies himself fully in all situations, takes every opportunity to extend his knowledge and has demonstrated his management potential by taking the lead on team tasks and helping supervise other apprentices on site. Watching him gain in skills and confidence during his time with Lovell has been a privilege.”
Chester will now further develop his career by working towards his NVQ Level 6 qualification in Site Management with Lovell’s support.
“This is a great chance for me to take my career forward,” says Chester. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship but have been interested in site management since first going to college, so this is something I’ve had in the back of my mind as a future goal. I’m particularly pleased to be working for Lovell at a time when the company is doing so well and there are lots of opportunities opening up.”
A former ski instructor, Chester was taking a diploma course in carpentry at Coleg Gwent when he had the chance to be interviewed by Lovell for an apprenticeship at Loftus Garden Village. During his apprenticeship, he has been involved in a wide range of community projects and initiatives to encourage more young people into construction.
Neil Taylor, Pobl Group senior project manager, comments: “Pobl Group and Lovell are an excellent example of how housing organisations can work together to create training and employment opportunities that benefit both young people like Chester, and the future of the sector.
“From the outset Chester flourished in his apprenticeship and rapidly became a valued member of the Loftus Garden Village team, so we are not surprised to hear about his well-deserved promotion. We wish Chester the best of luck in his new job as trainee site manager and at the forthcoming Business Awards, not that he needs it!”.
Good luck Chester – the winners of the Monmouthshire Business Awards will be revealed in a ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, on 6 October.
Article added: 5th September 2017
