Our apprentice Gracie Symon has won 2 awards in quick succession. In March she won Lewisham College’s plumbing competition for women training in construction, held to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Then in June she was named Construction Apprentice of the Year by City College Norwich.
City College Norwich selected 12 of its 1,650 apprentices for the Apprentice of the Year awards, celebrating those who had excelled and acted as a role model to their peers throughout the year.
Gracie was awarded Apprentice of the Year in the construction category (electrical installations, plumbing and gas).
I feel really happy and honoured to win this award. With my achievements this year, I’m pleased to say my confidence has grown. Ian [my supervisor] has really helped me to get where I need to be in my apprenticeship and has pushed me along with my social skills when talking to new people, such as tenants. The award has highlighted to me how far I have come since I first started with Broadland!
Gracie Symon, plumbing apprentice
Learning on the job
Gracie first joined Broadland as a plumbing apprentice in 2020. She chose Broadland because it offered a wide range of work and opportunities to learn on the job. She also enjoys meeting tenants from a range of different backgrounds.
Gracie first went into plumbing after leaving school, working with her Dad, who is also a plumber, before looking for an apprenticeship in her area. She is due to qualify in 2024.
Gas engineer Ian Willis, Gracie’s supervisor, said:
It’s a pleasure to train Gracie. She is enthusiastic and excited about learning new things, and always willing to give things a go. I am very proud of her. Gracie’s positive can-do attitude shines through – she is a credit to Broadland. Hopefully we can produce more apprentices like her in the future! Well done, Gracie!