Stephen Boyle, 20, was six months away from becoming fully accredited when his employer of three years was forced to let him go because of financial pressures.
Through North Lanarkshire's Working, an employability programme, Stephen, from Newmains, was interviewed and recommended to one of Graham Construction's contracts managers and set to work on one of the firm's largest projects – the building of the new Scottish Crime Campus at Gartcosh.
The £82million Scottish Government facility will bring together the full range of Scotland's crime-busting organisations.
It will include The Serious Organised Crime Agency, The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, The Crown Office Procurator Fiscal's Services and The Scottish Police Services Authority Forensic Services.
Work began in early 2011 and was completed in April this year.
Stephen started on site in October last year and was kept busy preparing timber frames for the concrete pouring process and installing external finishes.
When the completed building was handed over last month, Stephen had not only served his apprenticeship time but impressed the Graham team enough to secure a permanent role in the company.
He is currently working with on the new Drumpark Primary School in Coatbridge, which will be completed in July this year.
Stephen is now ready to take his trade test – which involves creating a hipped roof, hanging a door and installing lengths of skirting to industry standards – in order to officially qualify as a joiner.
He said: "I was so glad of the opportunity to get started back working again.
"I really enjoy joinery but I was worried about finding another position while the industry was suffering.
"The primary school I'm working on now is nearing completion, so I'm getting plenty of practice on finishing techniques.
"The variety of jobs I've been working on lately stood me in good stead for my trade test and now that I've passed, I'm a fully accredited joiner."
Pat O'Hare, contracts manager at Graham, said "Stephen is a great lad.
"Graham Construction is big on developing skilled people and it really helps to have enthusiastic and capable apprentices who are willing to learn.
"The last year or so has been tough for the construction industry and we know some firms have struggled to keep apprentices in work, so it's great to be able to offer people like Stephen a second chance."
stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk
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