Roofing apprentice to showcase talent at national event

A high-achieving apprentice from Scunthorpe’s Ashbridge Roofing has been selected to showcase his talent at the country’s largest careers and skills event.

Twenty-four-year-old Lewis Gibson, from Grimsby, is leading demonstrations in roofing techniques with cedar shingle, slate and plain tiles at The Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC from 16 to 18 November 2017.

The event draws crowds of 72,000 employers, educators and young people and promotes opportunities for training, apprenticeships and careers across a wide range of sectors.

Lewis, who has been an apprentice at Ashbridge Roofing, based on Northampton Road, for just over a year, has been selected to encourage other young people to consider roofing as a career by hosting a series of ‘Have a Go’ sessions.

Part of the Ongo group, Ashbridge Roofing was established in Scunthorpe in 1997 and is one of the leading roofing contractors in the region. Most recently it re-roofed the grade II listed Victoria Mills in Grimsby for Lindum Construction and is currently carrying out over a million pounds worth of work for a local housing reroofing scheme in Scunthorpe.

Contracts Manager Zak McKay, from Ashbridge Roofing, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Lewis to use his experience and success to encourage more young people to take up an apprenticeship.

“We are all very proud of the high standard of work he has produced, both on the job with Ashbridge, and throughout his college course.

“We see a real benefit in taking on apprentices and growing our own talent at Ashbridge. Lewis is a great example of the value of apprenticeships. To have this opportunity to share what he has learned at such a large event is very exciting for him, for the Ashbridge team and for his college.”

He is one of two apprentices at Ashbridge Roofing, along with 22-year-old Caleb Townley, from North Cotes, Grimsby. Both are in their final year at Leeds College of Building and are due to complete their NVQs ahead of time.

Lewis has also recently received the termly Redland award from the Leeds Building College for showing effort, skill and commitment to achieve his NVQ.

Lecturer Chris Messenger said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Lewis and Caleb, they are model students and a credit to themselves and Ashbridge Roofing. They always give 100% and their commitment to the course and job is commendable.”

Following the success of Caleb and Lewis, Ashbridge Roofing is looking to hire four more apprentices in 2018 to help grow the business.