BUSINESS: From apprentice to site supervisor – Lord Sugar would be impressed!

LORD Sugar himself would probably be extremely impressed at how a home-grown worker from Yeovil firm Jones Building Group has gone from apprentice to site supervisor in just a few years.

Sam Balian had been undertaking a joinery course at Yeovil College when approached Jones Building Group about an apprenticeship.

Sam said: “I walked straight from college and handed my CV into the office. Jones Building Group had recently been awarded the Yarlington contract that involved ten years of kitchen and bathroom refurbishments and Chris Snell, who was a supervisor on the contract at the time, agreed to interview me.”

Sam joined as an apprentice in 2010, undertaking Level 2 and Level 3 Carpentry courses at Yeovil College whilst gaining considerable onsite experience on various projects at Jones Building Group.

He has been involved in a variety of projects including kitchen installations at Hastoe and Yarlington properties, the extension of Fiveways School, and working with Yarlington’s fire safety team to ensure all residents are safe in their homes.

PHOTO – TOP: Sam Balian at St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.

Sam said: “During my apprenticeship there was plenty of work I could get stuck into and gain onsite skills. I have progressed well and at each stage where I have looked to and asked to develop my skills to advance my career, the company has supported this through training and experience.

“Since completing my apprenticeship, I have been mentoring some of the younger apprentices and think that training at Jones has given me good knowledge and insight to pass on.

“We are all still learning everyday so I am pleased that I have had the opportunity to undertake plastering & plumbing work to get a more rounded understanding of other processes and with my Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) I feel well-equipped to start this role.

“When I expressed an interest in becoming a supervisor, I never thought I would be getting this opportunity so soon, so I am grateful to the company for supporting me in my ambitions.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Mega-successful businessman Lord Sugar - well-known for his "you're fired" on TV show The Apprentice would probably be saying "you're hired" to Jones Building Group's Sam Balian!

Chris Snell, property services manager at Jones Building Group, said: "Sam has always been ambitious and keen to learn in every role he has taken on.

“We have a focus on developing our own people so it is great to see Sam moving into this new role, he has supervised apprentices well and with his broad knowledge, I am sure he will do a great job.”

Sam is now beginning his new role as working foreman at St Margaret’s Hospice where Jones Building Group are undertaking internal refurbishment works.

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