One of our multiskilled engineers is heading to the House of Commons after being shortlisted for a national award.

Ed Shave will be taking a day off from improving homes for our customers, to join the other finalists in this year’s Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year Awards. The 19-year-old joined Bromford last year, having previously spent a week with us on work experience and after two years studying carpentry and plastering at South Gloucestershire College. Ed had wanted to secure an apprenticeship after leaving school but with Covid lockdowns in effect across the country, few businesses were looking to take on apprentices at the time. So, Ed decided to focus on his studies, although much of that was also remote due to the pandemic. But he stayed in touch with us and when an opportunity to join us a trainee multi-skilled engineer became available he jumped at the chance.

“I’ve been really enjoying myself and think it’s been going well,” Ed said. “I get along with everyone in the team. I’ve mostly been working on replacing windows and doors in customers’ homes, but over the summer I spent time installing roofs and now I’m fitting new kitchens and bathrooms for customers.

“Dave had spoken to me about putting me forward for the award but I’d forgotten about it until he called me up and asked me if I’d checked my emails today and that’s how I found out I’d been shortlisted. I got a lot of congratulations from the rest of the team so that was really nice and now I’m looking forward to going to London next month.”

Contract services manager Dave Barr nominated Ed for the award after becoming a fantastic addition to the West of England Proactive works team.

“Ed has displayed a fantastic work ethic from the outset of his introduction to my team,” he said. “The quality and behaviours Ed displays highly and consistently in timekeeping, appearance and his attitude is an absolute credit to him – he is a real asset to the team. He is a keen and avid learned and wants to make the most of every opportunity that he’s given. 

“He’s working hard and is committed to being fully trained and employable as a multi-skilled engineer. I’m really proud and delighted for him that he’s been shortlisted for the award.”

This is the second consecutive year that one of our colleagues has been shortlisted for the final of the awards, after assistant site manager Dan Boam made the final last year. The awards were set up by YouthBuild to celebrate the achievements of young people in the construction sector.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the House of Commons on 18 October.