SOHAM apprentice Courtney Anderson took centre stage when he delivered a talk on the benefits of apprenticeships to construction industry experts at Cambridge Regional College this week.

The 20-year-old spoke alongside senior managers from major construction organisations at a workshop to promote apprenticeships held at the college.

He told industry bosses that one of the big advantages of apprenticeships was earning while learning.

He said: “The apprenticeship gives me life experience, independence and responsibility.

“I learn additional skills at college, that will help me with my job role now and in the future, and I can practice doing tasks at college and perfect skills that I can take back to my work.”

Courtney, an apprentice pipe-fitter and welder with James Brown Mechanical Services of Soham, was speaking at the workshop at CRC’s SmartLife Low Carbon Centre, attended by around 50 industry experts.

He told delegates: “We are supported by tutors and assessors from CRC; and I have regular site visits from my assessor that give me the motivation and encouragement to complete my apprenticeship.”

Delegates heard practical views on the use of apprentices within the construction industry, including talks from Paul Andrews, of Wates Construction Group, and Ian Greenstock, of the Kershaw Group, who had themselves begun their careers as apprentices.