Former West Cheshire College student Sam Brown to serve bricklaying apprenticeship on Duke of Westminster’s estate

Aug 27 2009 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

AN apprenticeship with Grosvenor Estate, which manages a portfolio of rural estates on behalf of the Duke of Westminster, has fulfilled 20-year-old Sam Brown’s ambition to learn a practical, yet highly skilled job – bricklaying.

After completing his A-levels at school, Sam, who lives in Chester, was offered an apprenticeship working on the Eaton Estate – an 11,500 acre estate south of Chester and principle home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.

Sam, whose job involves the restoration of old listed buildings on the estate, said: “I did consider going onto higher education after my A Levels but I also wanted to start earning some money. I’d already done a bit of work experience with Grosvenor Estate and I knew that I wanted a job that was outside and hands-on – so the apprenticeship has been a perfect opportunity for me.”

The apprenticeship involves Sam working four-days a week at Grosvenor Estate and one day at West Cheshire College. At college, Sam has just completed a two-year NVQ Level 2 in Bricklaying and is now going on to complete the NVQ Level 3 in Bricklaying this September.

Sam added: “People forget that bricklaying is a highly skilled trade and it’s a skill that is being lost amongst young people as not enough of us are choosing to do practical work.

“Whilst many people are favouring university and their learning is in the classroom, I believe that by doing an apprenticeship I am learning skills both in college and at work that are applicable to aŠreal working environment. I thoroughly enjoy my job – working outside, with my hands and with great people.”

Sam hopes that his work experience and formal NVQ qualifications will help him achieve his future ambitions of becoming a Building Manager working in building restoration and heritage.