Work experience programme leads to job for Connor

A young bricklaying student on work experience organised by Anderson at The Quarry in Erith has been offered a job at the site – before he’s even finished his studies.

Connor Brine, 21, from Kent, so impressed his supervisors during the two-week placement that he’s now been offered a job with our contractors, System Method Building (SMB).

Steve Hammond, Health and Safety Trainer at Anderson said: “Anderson are committed to engaging with the local community to encourage young people in to the industry.

“It is very refreshing that our sub-contractors are following our lead with a very positive attitude towards employing local labour, creating opportunities to those that might otherwise follow the unemployment route.

“Encouraging young people into the industry is vital to improve the longevity and productivity of every construction company.  I hope that other contractors will follow the great examples set by Anderson and System Method Building (SMB).

“I have been working closely with Bexley Borough council for the last two years. We have formulated an Employment and Skills plan (ESP) together which sets targets to meet the needs of the local community with regards to training, education work experience and employment.”

Connor is currently half-way through his Brickwork Level 2 Diploma course at London South East Colleges’ Holly Hill Construction Campus.

His supervisor, Contracts Manager Don Mickevicius from SMB, was so impressed with Connor’s good attitude, attention to detail and willingness to learn, that he has offered him a job on site four days a week, enabling him to spend the fifth day at college.

He said: “I could tell that Connor is going to make a very good bricklayer. He is as good now as some of the fully-qualified agency staff I’ve employed in the past. He has great potential to succeed and earn a very good living in this trade.”

Connor said: “I’m delighted to be offered a job working on this amazing development and I’m still in shock at how quickly things have moved along. Working here has given me exposure to so many construction professionals and I leave work at the end of each day knowing much more than what I did when I started work in the morning.”

The Quarry, now in its second year, is a joint venture between the Anderson Group and L&Q. Once completed, it will offer a three-form entry primary school for 630 children alongside over 600 modern homes on the former 50-acre quarry site.