Paul Reilly, who is an apprentice with Keltbray; a UK leader in specialist engineering, construction and decommissioning services, has been awarded a commendation in the Land Securities Employment Awards 2013. This award scheme celebrates young people for their outstanding achievements on site, and for achieving sustainable employment against the odds.

Land Securities is a Keltbray customer, and the company has been impressed with Paul’s plant support.

Paul became an apprentice with Keltbray after signing up for the Prince’s Trust’s ‘Get into Plant Mechanics’ course. Following his completion, Paul was interviewed by the company and offered an apprenticeship as a Mechanical Fitter. He is based in Keltbray’s plant division at Bedfont, and the company is now sponsoring him to do a three-year NVQ in plant maintenance.

Earlier this year Keltbray signed a three year partnership with The Prince’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people turn their lives around through the Trust’s ‘Get into Construction’ programme.

In the UK, around one in five young people are not in work, education or training andThe Prince’s Trust has a good track record in that three in four of the young people they support move into work, education or training.

Keltbray Group’s Chief Executive, Brendan Kerr, who also started his career as an apprentice, is a great supporter of apprenticeships and training, to the extent that the company has one apprentice or intern to every 18 employees across the Group. “Just like my life was changed, I believe other peoples’ lives can be transformed by being given opportunities through practical training and work. The Prince’s Trust supports this philosophy and gets young people into work, education and training with the help of employers like ourselves. We therefore believe Land Securities, Keltbray and The Prince’s Trust make great partners. Paul Reilly is a shining example of this, and I am so pleased Land Securities has recognised this,” he said.