Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
JELD-WEN, the UK’s leading manufacturer of timber windows, doors, and stairs, has sponsored and presented the Jewson Best Young Tradesperson of the Year 2017 competition, 18–24 category, which was awarded to winner Jack Allen, a 22-year-old carpenter from Glasgow.
The manufacturer was proud to sponsor the category as part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of UK building and construction workers to succeed. Mr Allen, who is currently working as a trainee site manager with Cala Homes, impressed the judges and JELD-WEN with his positive attitude and hardworking nature.
On being named a winner in the competition, Allen said: “It feels amazing to have been chosen as the winner. I believe that you have to love your job and the industry in order to succeed, and I definitely do. I’m motivated to do well and I’m always looking for ways to move forward, so it’s great to have won this prize.”
Lee Frimston, Merchant Sales Director at JELD-WEN, presented the award to Allen during the award ceremony held on 28 April. He said: “It is important for the industry as a whole to support the next generation of trade professionals, and competitions like the Jewson Young Tradesperson of the Year help to acknowledge and encourage young people to be proud of the work they do.
“With recent CBI research also pointing to the fact that 69 per cent of employers in the sector are also concerned about not finding highly-skilled staff, and the fact we are faced with a well-publicised and growing skills gap of those in building and construction related roles, it is even more important to attract and retain talent through initiatives like this. Huge congratulations to Jack and we wish him the best of luck for the future!”
Clare Harding, Marketing Services Director at Jewson, added: “The calibre of entries we’ve received this year has been so high that picking the winners was by no means easy.
“Jack is a fantastic example of the emerging talent in the construction industry, and the progression he is making so early on in his career deserves to be celebrated. It goes to show that hard work and motivation can go a long way in succeeding in a construction career.”
