A NORTHFIELD carpenter and joiner has won first prize in a prestigious competition, writes Tom Banner.
Conna O’Toole, 21, from Northfield came first in the Skillbuild Regional Heat competition having finished third last year.
Conna is now able to compete at the national final later this year which takes place between 16 and 18 November at the NEC in Birmingham.
Conna first joined Kendrick Homes as an apprentice carpenter two years ago.
He said: “I am delighted to be working with Kendrick Homes who not only encourage me but give me so much flexibility to continue my studies on a day release basis at college, whilst enabling me to be understudy to the same carpenter and joiner on a daily basis.
“It’s a great feeling to now be able to say I’m officially a carpenter and joiner – and the best in the region.”
The former apprentice can usually be found working on roof trusses and other carpentry work, and earlier this year completed a project through college to build an outdoor show and tell area for Perry Common Primary School.
Because he was the most experienced apprentice on-site he was given the opportunity to fulfil a management role on the project.
Wayne Bingham, Kendrick Homes’ Health, Safety and Environment Manager, said: “By working with apprentices such as Conna we are able to bring them through the ranks and are able to teach them our style and quality by training them to Kendrick Homes’ high standards.”
He added it was good to have an apprentice who strove to reach the company’s standards and one they could rely on 100 per cent.
“We wish him every success in his continued development as a carpenter and joiner,” he added.
