Congratulations to Oliver Preston for winning The Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year Award 2025!
Oliver has successfully completed a Level 2 Formworks apprenticeship, working with Kier BAM Joint Venture (JV) and Greenlight Training. He joined Kier BAM JV in March 2023 as the first trade apprentice on the 10 Dock Devonport Dockyard project and first formwork apprentice ever trained in Plymouth.
18-months into his apprenticeship training, Oliver was sad to find out that his pathway was unable to continue due to low learner numbers. Fortunately, Greenlight Training were able to transfer his course to an NVQ and he quickly got to work, using all available resources to him.
Jade Hayes, Learning and Development Coordinator for Kier BAM JV said: “Ollie’s brilliant attitude towards learning and strong work ethic to ensure that he is always learning something new to develop himself, has resulted in an easy pass of his NVQ.”
With glowing reports from his training provider and mentors, it is unsurprising that he is now a qualified Formworker, and has secured himself a permanent contract with Kier BAM JV, something that he is extremely proud of.
Having only been in the industry for 18-months, Oliver is already a credit to his team and the project. He has been nominated as the Kier BAM JV Learning & Development Team Success of the Year, for his commitment to training and work ethic.
Jade added: “Oliver is a great representation of all the wonderful work that is taking place within Devonport Dockyard for Kier BAM JV.”
With his proactive attitude towards learning, hard work and willingness to progress, it is easy to see why he has been awarded The Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year Award.
Upon receiving city’s top construction apprenticeship award, Oliver said: “ I never expected to come out as a winner of this award! Things were a bit challenging at the beginning of my apprenticeship but both Kier BAM JV and Greenlight Training worked hard for me to make sure I was able to continue on my chosen career. I really think that apprenticeships are great - the flexibility is what has allowed me to continue with formworks which I love! Doing an apprenticeship has really helped my confidence and this will help my career going forward."
Comments