A Blackburn apprentice who refused to give up on his dream career has been nominated for the Young Builder of the Year Awards.
Blake Upton, who is completing a Level 2 Joinery Apprenticeship on the Calico shared apprenticeship programme, has been nominated for the national awards, which celebrate young people who have overcome challenges to build a future in the construction industry.
For Blake, securing an apprenticeship, which is one of a range of employment opportunities delivered by The Calico Enterprise Employability Team, was the result of years of persistence.
After leaving school, he spent two years working as a pot washer in a local restaurant before moving into a role at The Range. While he valued the experience and enjoyed working, he always had his sights set on a career in joinery.
He applied for apprenticeship opportunities whenever they became available, but success did not come straight away. Instead of giving up, Blake continued to build his skills through college, completing Level 1 and Level 2 diplomas in Carpentry and Joinery while continuing his search for an apprenticeship, which ultimately paid off.
Today, Blake is working on a new-build housing development in Blackburn, splitting his time between college and site work as he develops his skills alongside experienced tradespeople. The apprenticeship has also helped him grow in ways beyond the practical side of the job.
Blake has always found meeting new people difficult and often lacked confidence in unfamiliar situations. Working as part of a busy construction team has gradually helped him overcome those challenges. Supported by colleagues, supervisors and tutors, he has become more confident speaking with others, asking questions and getting involved in conversations on site.
Those who work alongside Blake have praised his reliability, willingness to learn and the effort he puts into developing his skills. Positive feedback from both his site manager and college tutor reflects the impression he has made during his apprenticeship.
One of the things Blake enjoys most is learning from people around him. Whether it’s picking up new techniques on site or receiving feedback from experienced colleagues, he sees every day as an opportunity to improve and broaden his understanding of the trade.
Looking back, Blake says securing an apprenticeship in the industry he always wanted to work in is his proudest achievement. He hopes to complete his Level 2 qualification before progressing onto Level 3 and continuing to build a career in construction. Further down the line, he would like to take the skills he has developed and pursue opportunities in Australia.
If Blake were speaking to someone in a similar position, he would encourage them not to give up, even if things do not go to plan straight away. Before securing his apprenticeship, Blake applied for several opportunities without success, but he remained focused on his goal of working in joinery and continued gaining experience through work and college.
Chris Marsh, Blake’s Apprenticeship Officer, spoke on his pride at the recognition, saying: “I have been consistently impressed by Blake’s commitment to developing his skills as an Apprentice Joiner at Calico.
“He demonstrates a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn, making him a valued member of the team and a deserving candidate for this nomination.”
His nomination recognises the progress he has made as a joiner, as well as the confidence he has built along the way. His story shows how the right opportunity, combined with hard work and support from those around you, can help turn long-term ambitions into reality.
Winners will be revealed later in the year, and we wish Blake the very best of luck.
