Climbing up the Rungs of Success

08 January 2016 | Updated 01 January 1970

NASC Apprentice of the Year 2016, Paul Howell received his winner’s trophy and a cash prize of £500 during a presentation ceremony carried out at the West Yorkshire offices of his employer Complete Access (Scaffolding) (CASL) recently.

The presentation was made by National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) Director of Training and CISRS Scheme Manager, Dave Mosley and Apprentice of the Year Scheme Judge and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Scaffolding Specialist Account Co-ordinator, Diane Wood.

Paul Howell received his recognition alongside his MD, Tony McDonald and Health & Safety Manager, Mick Shepherd, who also received a trophy and cash prize as employers of the NASC Apprentice of the Year award winner.

NASC was looking for ‘evidence of someone who through hard work, personal development and a commitment to the industry would be viewed as a shining example to others looking to enter the scaffolding sector’.

Howell had worked for CASL as a labourer for a period but both he and his employer felt it was time for him to progress his career and commence a scaffolding apprenticeship. It was during this period that he showed his absolute commitment to the programme without missing any of his practical training or work based experience, despite a series of highly traumatic events in his life, including the death of his father and very shortly after this, his partner also being diagnosed with a serious illness.

“I have chosen Paul as he has demonstrated immense strength of character and commitment as he faced the most difficult of personal challenges throughout the whole period of his apprenticeship, without requesting any adjustments either at work or college,” explained Diane Wood. “Testimonies from both his employer and tutor are that he is an inspiration to everyone. Throughout this very testing period in his life he managed to offer advice, guidance and encouragement to other apprentices and continues to do this with the new apprentices at Complete Access, who look upon him as a mentor.”

In addition to the NASC’s Apprentice of the Year Award, Paul Howell has also been awarded a CITB apprentice Achievement Through Adversity commendation ‘for his commitment to his training, in the face of difficult personal circumstances’ at a recent CITB National Awards Ceremony in London, by television presenter, Helen Skelton.

This is only the second year the NASC have held this Apprentice of the Year award but it reports that the quality of the submissions has been at the highest level. The runner-up was Scott Curtin of Connect Scaffolding (with both Scott and his employer also receiving a trophy and a cash prize).

Article written by Cathryn Ellis | Published 08 January 2016