by Rebecca Hannant
A bricklaying apprentice at M Ralph Builder in Ryehill has been named Apprentice of the Year by East Riding College.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, on Tuesday, February 11, East Riding College and Scarborough TEC held their annual Apprenticeship Awards at the East Riding College Beverley campus.
Harry Ralph, 17, who is studying for a Level 2 bricklaying apprenticeship, was named the Employer’s Choice Apprentice of the Year after showing dedication to learning the craft.
Harry said: “It’s an honour to win the award, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me to get here and helped me to gain skills.”
Harry was nominated by his uncle, Gary Ralph, managing director of M Ralph Builder.
Gary said Harry had shown natural skills in bricklaying and building, was extremely hard-working, and had shown great aptitude for learning a trade.
Gary said: “Harry came to us directly from school having already worked with us on a part-time basis during school holidays.
“He has shown a natural ability for bricklaying. Harry is extremely hard-working and possesses a skill beyond his years.
“He has an insatiable appetite for everything building. Harry is not afraid to muck in and he can be found undertaking a vast variety of jobs from bricklaying to concreting. You ask Harry and he’ll do it, regardless of the task. He’s an apprentice all others should strive to be like.”
Harry says he now hopes to continue working at the family business while learning and improving his skills.
His grandfather, Mick Ralph, owner and founder of the company, said: “Harry is continuing in a similar vein to his uncle, Gary Ralph, who won the highest award in bricklaying named the silver trowel.
“We hope that, with their skills, we continue to achieve high standards and quality at an affordable price with attention to detail. This is what gives people value for money.”
Laura Shakespeare, apprenticeship operations manager at East Riding College, said: “Harry Ralph exemplifies the dedication, skill and attitude we hope to see in all our apprentices. From his early days working part-time to excelling in his Level 2 Bricklaying Apprenticeship with M Ralph Builder in Ryehill, he has consistently gone above and beyond.
“His enthusiasm for construction, willingness to take on any task and ability to work independently set him apart.
“East Riding College is incredibly proud to recognise Harry’s achievements by awarding him Apprentice of the Year for Bricklaying at our Apprentice Awards. Harry has a bright future ahead, and we look forward to seeing him continue to thrive in the industry.”
Kevin Goodger, group executive director of apprenticeships at TEC Partnership – whose three higher education university campuses are East Riding College, Scarborough TEC and University Centre Grimsby – said: “TEC Partnership is proud of our awards and recognises the importance of celebrating the work and dedication needed for an apprenticeship.
“Apprenticeships are key to our local economy and often fall under the radar due to their complexity. However, when supported by their employers, apprenticeships are an excellent foundation for young people and adults to excel in their chosen careers.
“Harry is an exceptional individual, and the Apprentice of the Year award is a recognition of his hard work. Harry’s impact on the business he trains with is a true testament to what an apprenticeship is all about: real skills in real places of work.”
Established more than 55 years ago, M Ralph Builder is run by time-served joiners and bricklayers and undertakes building services of all sizes, from domestic joinery and building work to housebuilding. One of its current projects is the Strawberry Fields development in Keyingham.