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Stratford bricklayer goes top of the class for his building skills




IT'S not been an easy journey at times for Alex Bridgewater from Tiddington but you could say he’s rebuilt his life literally brick by brick and is now on the verge of becoming a fully qualified brick layer.

At the age of 14 he joined Moreton Morrell College after being removed from mainstream education.

Russell Sims, apprenticeship tutor, level 2 brickwork, Alex Bridgewater apprentice, centre, and Paul Richards, construction skills tutor.
Russell Sims, apprenticeship tutor, level 2 brickwork, Alex Bridgewater apprentice, centre, and Paul Richards, construction skills tutor.

He completed a Multi Skills award moving onto Level 1 City and Guilds and now works for Sibbasbridge and is taking his final exams to be become a fully qualified bricklayer at the age of 19 having overcome a number of learning difficulties along the way.

“I left school with few qualifications, and an Education, Health and Care Plan but school was not my favourite place and not for me.

I have just got to my End Point Assessment (EPA) stage of my 3-year apprenticeship and achieved a pass in my knowledge exam, a distinction in my oral questioning and I am awaiting my final result for the two-day practical skills test. My parents are really proud of me, they never stopped supporting me and believing in me, even when I didn't,” Alex told the Heral

He has nothing but praise for the support Sibbasbridge has shown which enabled him to start putting some very important building blocks in place.

Alex said: “In the beginning, they offered me an apprenticeship and I joined the team. Here I’ve gained knowledge and skills that have helped me improve and develop. Without their support, I wouldn't have completed the apprenticeship and my opportunities within the construction industry would be reduced. I attended WCG (Moreton Morrell College) one day a week and worked on sites the rest of the week where I learned valuable skills.”

In fact, what Alex was doing was learning not just one trade but several and it quickly paid off.

“When I started on the Multi-skills course, I tried different skills in construction, plastering, painting and decorating, carpentry and bricklaying, after a few months I knew I wanted to do bricklaying, I was better at doing practical work and it was the best trade for me. It hasn't been easy for me to sit in a classroom and take exams, that's not me. Being at WCG has been different from school, I have been supported by all the tutors along the way, helping me with revision and building a portfolio of work. The tutors know about different areas of brickwork, some have experience in running their own businesses and some have worked on historical buildings, some introduce new technologies to the classroom, for me it has been much better than school,” said Alex.

He admits school was hard for him especially as he has dyslexia and ADHD

“I needed time to process the information, and smaller sessions to help me focus. School couldn't always provide that for me and I have been a challenge to teach at school at times but that didn't mean I didn't want to learn stuff, I just didn't fit the mould,” said Alex.

His college tutor, Russell Sims, said: “Alex is a student from my first apprenticeship group at WCG and I feel proud to have watched him progress over the last two and half years.”

The Work-Based Mentor Team heaped praise and Alex and his achievements and his positivity which has taken him so far.

“Alex has been a bundle of energy from the moment he started at 14-years-old to now and he has been able to focus that into his role and we have been so pleased to see him mature and achieve the grades he has.

We recognise that learning doesn't stop once you leave school and that a negative experience can put young people off education and learning new skills, however finding a course you enjoy can be rewarding as Alex has found out.

Alex has always been a positive influence in the construction department. He has appreciated the opportunity to learn a trade at college and has always brought a smile into college and a 'Can do attitude,'” a spokesperson said.

Alex has already got his sights set on his next steps.

“I will be getting more experience and maybe I will consider if working for myself is a path I could proceed with, who knows, I might be able to give an apprentice an opportunity like I had,” Alex said.



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