Ellis Cole-Jones was keen to explore different roles in the construction industry and started a plumbing apprenticeship in 2016.

During this time, he took part in a work placement with TRJ in Carmarthen where he worked with a plumbing team as well as labourers and engineers.

From this experience, Ellis decided to change direction and in 2017 joined construction company Dawnus, taking a more engineering pathway into construction.

As a result, his hard work, commitment and abilities onsite was recognised and Dawnus invested further training into Ellis and nominated him for the new Civil Engineering Construction Operative (CECO) apprenticeship which has been launched by a newly formed partnership between JP Training, Coleg Sir Gâr, Cyfle, Building Skills, TRJ and CITB.

This new apprenticeship offers existing labourers and post-16 school leavers the opportunity to gain qualifications to further their career.  

JP Training runs two training sites in Ammanford and in Barry where they provide onsite civil engineering and plant training in addition to classroom and training centres on both sites.

Dawnus is investing heavily in upskilling existing and new staff, providing support internally and externally to help the industry grow its workforce and this apprenticeship supports their commitment.

Elis was enrolled on to the first cohort of apprentices for the CECO Apprenticeship Scheme in

January 2018, and will complete the programme by June 2019.  Ellis continues to work onsite with Dawnus and takes part in training at JP Training in Ammanford on a block release system every two months.

The training Ellis has received on this programme is significant and includes health and safety awareness, manual handling, COSHH, small tools training, face fit training, abrasive wheels, fire marshal, emergency first aid at work, CPCS ride on roller, CPCS forward tipping dumper, maths and English essential skills. He is also due to complete a street works operative course, CPCS slinger signaller and CPCS vehicle marshal.

On completion of the CECO apprenticeship Ellis will obtain a level two NVQ diploma in Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Services.  During his onsite training at JP in Ammanford, Ellis has also spent nine weeks undertaking training on excavating holes and trenches, establishing work area protection, work place health safety and welfare, installing road drainage, reinstating ground conditions, reinstating excavations and laying kerbing and channels.

Gareth David of JP Training said: “Ellis has displayed an in depth understanding of the processes involved in all aspects of training and has always represented Dawnus with integrity, he’s a real company ambassador and I believe he will have a bright future in the construction industry.”

Ellis’ Project Manager at Dawnus added: “I have seen excellent progression from Ellis onsite since he started his apprenticeship.

“He is demonstrating more skills and has become an integral part of the project team.

“He works with a team and in addition to myself has a couple of mentors onsite to support him and provide guidance when required. 

“Ellis is quickly developing his skills onsite and I can see great potential for him to become a skilled construction operative.

“He is already an integral part of the team and as he gains more experience and training both from site and through his apprenticeship he will be given more responsibility onsite, which I already know he will relish and succeed at.”

Ellis is looking forward to gaining plant tickets and looks forward to progressing his career once he has completed his apprenticeship.