An aspiring site manager from Uxbridge who discovered a passion for construction after helping his dad with a house extension during lockdown has been named Bellway’s Apprentice of the Year.

Adam Simms, 19,was selected from the national housebuilder’s cohort of 178apprentices across the UK toreceive the coveted award.

The apprentice assistant site manager, who is currently based at Bellway’s Waterside at Riverwell development in Watford, was nominated for the prize by his manager and other colleagues who praised his commitment to the job, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

Adam, who joined Bellway’s Ruislip-based North London division in September 2020 after finishing his A-Levels, said: “It was a complete shock to get the call saying I had won the award. My manager and the technical manager on site both said they’d put a nomination in as a thank you for my work, but I never thought I would go as far as to win. I was taken aback but very grateful. It’s always nice to be recognised for the hard work you put in.

“I’m really lucky to be surrounded and supported by so many great people who have themselves won awards for their work. My manager Chandra Kancham and my project manager Elie Sawaya have both taught me so much.”

Adam was studying for his A-Levels when he decided that university wasn’t for him and began to look at apprenticeships instead. However, it wasn’t until he worked on an extension to the family home during lockdown with his dad that he considered construction as a possible career path.

He said: “I started to look into construction and building work apprenticeships and found that Bellway North London were recruiting. I already knew this was a great company so didn’t think I stood much of a chance but applied anyway. I got invited to an interview with Rob Sapsford, who is now my construction director, who must have liked me because he offered me the job.

“I’ve been working in the job for about 18 months now and have loved every minute of it. Everyone I’ve worked with and met during my time here has been really supportive and willing to help if I have any questions.

“Although I have set tasks to do in my role, I’m also given the flexibility and responsibility to get involved with as many things as I want to. The team let me take on new jobs and trust me to do it to the best of my abilities and are confident that if I need help I will ask for it.

“I really like the Bellway ethos and I definitely see myself staying here for a long time. I’ve already recommended the apprenticeship scheme to my friends because it has been such a good experience.”

Adam is coming to the end of his NVQ Level 4 course in construction and site supervision, which he studies for one day a week via an online course run by the NHBC, and is already thinking about the next stage in his career.

“I want to move on to do my level six course next and then progress my way through Bellway, gaining some more qualifications and experience along the way.”

Adam starts work at 7.30 in the morning to ensure that everything is set up for the day and is usually one of the last to leave the site before it’s locked up at 5pm.

He said: “I’m super busy but I really enjoy it. Every day is rewarding and when I go home I tell my dad about everything I’ve done and if I’ve encountered any problems how I resolved them. I find it so satisfying, especially when everything goes to plan.

“It’s such a fun job and on a Sunday night I’m looking forward to another week on site.”

Ali Maruf, Managing Director of Bellway North London, said: “Adam is an exceptionally committed, hardworking and enthusiastic apprentice who thoroughly deserves this award. Since joining us almost 18 months ago, he has shown himself to be a quick learner with a strong work ethic who is always striving to improve.

“In his role, Adam has displayed maturity beyond his years and has demonstrated many of the qualities that can be found in experienced site managers. Although always polite, he has the confidence to challenge subcontractors and has quickly earned the respect of his colleagues.

“We believe he has an extremely bright future in the industry, and we are looking forward to seeing him progress his career even further with us in the years ahead.”

For more information on apprenticeship roles with Bellway, visit Bellway.co.uk/careers.