Joe Griffiths, Apprentice of the Year 2018
Trade Business Services Level 2, Graham Plumbers’ Merchant
Joe Griffiths of Graham Plumbers’ Merchant is our Apprentice of the year 2018. 16 year old, Joe’s motto is to ‘learn something new every day’ and it’s this positive attitude, coupled with his commitment to getting the most out of his Apprenticeship, that has helped him beat off fierce competition to be a very worthy winner of this year’s award.
Joe was fresh from school when he joined the Graham branch at Plymouth ‘I was very shy and nervous and worried that I wouldn’t be able to do the work and course, especially as I am visually impaired.’ However with the support of his Manager, Ian Cockerill and his Intec Tutor/Assessor, Sandra Chappell, Joe has overcome any barriers to learning to become a valued and respected member of the Team.
Leaving school with no maths qualification and little confidence in the subject, Joe has successfully completed his level 1 Functional Skills. He hasn’t stopped there, and has since had the drive and commitment to achieve his Level 2 as well. It’s not just his academic achievements that are commendable but also the way he has developed his confidence and interpersonal skills, throwing himself into every new challenge; ‘Joe has never missed an appointment and has always completed his work on time.’
Ian is particularly pleased with Joe’s progress: ‘Joe has been an excellent member of my team and has added some real value to the business since he started here. He has grown as a person, not only with his customer service skills but in the way he interacts with members of the team. He has also got a very good, and still growing understanding of the business: Good sales skills and margin and profit knowledge. He has performed so well that I have taken him on as a full time member of my team, when his Apprenticeship came to an end, even though I did not have any vacancies to fill.’ A real testament to Joe’s abilities.
Creating an environment for Joe that looked to develop him beyond the life of the programme and to support him, as he transitioned from school into the working world has really helped him on his road to success. Supportive Manager and his team, as well as his Intec Assessor, have helped to provide that; ‘During his Apprenticeship Joe moved around the departments of the branch, which has given him a good grounding in each aspect of the business. This means Joe can easily be left running the warehouse or the front desk which is a real advantage, from a business perspective.’
Joe has excelled from a young school leaver lacking in confidence to become a competent member of the Graham’s team, and his never-give-up attitude ensures he continues to achieve. We’re certain there will be many more great things to come from Joe in the future.
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