Tarmac Topblock builds Jonathan a second chance

Thanks to specialist building product manufacturer, Tarmac Topblock, concerned Wordsley lad Jonathan Taylor has been given a fresh opportunity to fulfil his ambition to become a builder, by starting a new apprenticeship with local Oldbury based builders N and T Property Services.

18-year-old Jonathan's hopes of completing his course at Stourbridge College, Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) were dashed when his previous employer, due to business difficulties had to let him go. Now thanks to the support of the Stourbridge College who took him on as a temporary technician, and a chance meeting at a Modern Methods of Construction demonstration held at the CoVE by Tarmac Topblock, Jonathan has been snapped up as an apprentice by Nick Goodwin owner of N and T Property Services, and is now on his way to completing his studies and starting a successful career as a builder.

Jonathan said "I was really gutted when my first apprenticeship didn’t work out, as it had serious training and financial implications for me. Although the staff at Stourbridge College helped by employing me in a technician role to tide me over, I badly wanted to get back into brick and blocklaying and learn more about the trade I strive to be in.

"I was really glad to meet Nick at the training day, and we got on really well. I am very grateful to the staff at Stourbridge CoVE and Tarmac Topblock for making this opportunity possible and helping me get this second chance, and am looking forward to getting stuck into the challenges that lie ahead with my new job."

Having visited the event, which was designed to introduce local builders and students to Tarmac Topblock's Durox System with thin joint technology, Nick not only met Jonathan, he also saw an opportunity to build his business using Durox System.

Commenting on the event and Jonathan, Nick said: "As a business owner you are always on the look out for new things that help you do your job quicker and/or better. I first learnt about the Tarmac Topblock event whilst I was taking my CITB site management course at the CoVE. On seeing a demonstration of the use of Durox System, which basically uses light weight aircrete blocks that can be cut to size and stuck together to make a wall with what is a glue like mortar, I recognised the real potential Durox System could have for my business.

"After the presentation and demonstration I was introduced to Tarmac Topblock's Brian Hewkin who in-turn introduced me to Jonathon who was helping out at the event. After spending some time with both of them I walked out of the event with a real sense of opportunity."

Commenting on Nick and his take up of Durox System, Brian Hewkin, Durox System Project Manager for Tarmac Topblock said: "Nick immediately recognised the earning potential Durox System could have for his business, especially from a project management perspective and the holistic approach he offers the customer as a builder and project manager in one. I know from taking to Nick that he has already had a positive experience using Durox System, with his first job, a one storey extension taking him and Jonathan just six hours to build the interior block wall, enabling his bricklayers to start work almost straight away."

Combining practical work on site with Nick and his studies at Stourbridge College, which is an accredited Centre of Vocational Excellence in Construction, Jonathan will now benefit from putting his learned skills into practice in a really working environment.

Kath Jackson, lead personal tutor for the Built Environment at Stourbridge CoVE: “It is so important that our students are able to put the skills they learn here at the CoVE into practice. By opening our doors to the local community and helping to educate business owners like Nick through partnerships with the likes of Tarmac Topblock we are able to make a really positive contribution to both pupils and business owners.

"I can speak for all the team at Stourbridge College at how thrilled we are that Jonathan has been given this second chance and would like to extend our thanks to the staff at Tarmac Topblock for their support and time. We wish him every success in his new position."

Nick has also found support for Durox System from local builders merchant and Modern Method of Construction champion, Gilmore Building Supplies, who have provided him with all of the material needed to complete his work. Commenting on their support for Nick and Jonathan, Steve Gilruth of Gilmore Building Supplies added: "As a relatively new business ourselves, we recognise that there is a real education job to do in the building trade, as there are very few people that want to take what they see as a big leap into using new methods of construction.

It is therefore down to individuals and businesses like ourselves and Tarmac Topblock to help in the education process and make sure when people choose to use products that they are readily available. It is for these reasons that we are purposely setting up our business to support both traditional and new methods of construction, to service what is a growing market sector.

To find out about the courses offered by Stourbridge COVE visit www.stourbridge.ac.uk To contact Nick Goodwin at N and T Property Services call 07940528340 To contact Gilmore Building Supplies call 01902 366620