Barnfield s newly qualified Joiner receives Excellency Award

Date: 29.09.2011

Barnfield Construction’s newly qualified bench joiner, Chris McDonald, celebrated last night after receiving his “The Phil Lawson Award for Excellent Joinery”.

The award was presented to Chris McDonald by Principal Hugh Bramwell, Head of Construction John Shaw and College Governor Jim Sutcliffe at the 2011 Awards for Excellence evening held at Burnley College on Wednesday the 28th of September 2011.

Chris (20) had started an apprenticeship course in Joinery three years ago which meant he would find a work placement and study Carpentry & Joinery at Burnley College in the form of day release. However, due to the recession

Chris was unable to find a work place for the first two years of the course and decided to study the Carpentry and Joinery Course full time.

Last year after one of Barnfield’s three joiners retired there was an opening for a new recruit within their Joiners Shop at their head office on Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson.

After interviewing four potential candidates put forward by the college, Nigel Hill, Joinery Shop Manager was delighted to offer Chris the chance to complete the third year of his course under his wing.

Barnfield have fully supported Chris both financially and academically in order to complete his NVQ Level 3 in Bench Joinery and thanks go to Nigel in particular who has passed on a wealth of support and experience after being in the joinery industry for over 30 years.

Nigel Commented “Chris is a great apprentice who is always on time, never missed a day’s work and is always ready for whatever the day may throw at us. He is very enthusiastic about continuing into further education and is keen to progress onto a joinery management course.”

Burnley College Carpentry and Joinery Programme Leader, David Lord, said: “Chris was chosen to win the Phil Lawson Award for Excellent Joinery because of his excellent attitude to learning and his outstanding results. He progressed to an Apprenticeship with Barnfield Construction from a full-time Carpentry and Joinery qualification at the College and became the first student from his group to complete his portfolio. I am delighted that he won this award because he was a fantastic student to teach and I wish him all the best with his future career at Barnfield Construction.”

The photographs show:

Chris and his Phil Lawson Award for Excellent Joinery alongside Phil Lawson’s widow and Dave Lord, Burnley College Carpentry and Joinery Programme Leader

Chris at the awards ceremony with other students