YEOVIL-BASED Bradfords Building Supplies has announced the latest success of its award-winning apprenticeship programme as sales assistants Luke Clark, Megan James and Ehron Keast, passed their apprenticeships with distinction.

All three apprenticeships were awarded by Yeovil College.

Luke joined Bradfords just as lockdown began in March 2020.

“I started my apprenticeship just a week before the first national Coronavirus lockdown, when Bradfords decided to remain open by becoming a pre-collection and delivery business only,” said Luke.

“While this wasn’t a typical time for the business, everyone pulled together and I quickly felt part of the team.

“There are so many opportunities for me to progress here. I can get my lorry licence and eventually become a supervisor or manager. Bradfords always has my future in mind.”

Megan also works at Bradfords’ Weston-super-Mare branch and started her apprenticeship at the same time as Luke.

She’s now progressing to the role of Showroom Consultant, in preparation for when the company’s new showroom opens at the branch in 2022.

Somerset County Gazette: Luke Clark

Wayne Ewing, Weston-super-Mare branch manager at Bradfords, added: “We decided to remain open throughout the pandemic to ensure that tradespeople working on essential projects had our continued support, so Luke and Megan joined just as we were undergoing one of the most significant shifts we’ve ever had to make as a business."

After working for Bradfords in a casual role in Summer 2020, Ehron started his apprenticeship with the company that September and works at the Seaton branch.

Bradfords’ apprenticeship programme offers participants exposure to all aspects of the business, with the guarantee of a permanent role at the company on completion.

“We recognise that our strength is our people and their knowledge and expertise help to ensure our success as a business,” said David Young, CEO at Bradfords.

“The Bradfords Group Apprenticeship Programme has become crucial in providing an ongoing pipeline of new team members to help push the business forward.”