2023 Master Builder Awards, Apprentice of the Year Award
National Winner: Seth Barton of Neways Group Ltd
Since joining Neways Group Ltd as a labourer and assistant at the age of 16, Seth Barton has shown incredible resilience to overcome significant obstacles in undertaking his carpentry apprenticeship training with City College Norwich. His immigration status initially proved a barrier to entry into the industry, with many prospective employers dismissing him outright.
Finally given a chance by this Master Builder company, Seth has maintained a 100% attendance rate in his classes despite travelling significantly further than his peers and has shown great enthusiasm in deploying the skills he has learned whilst on-site. He has already won his employer more work by suggesting to a client that leftover materials from a renovation project could be fashioned into bespoke furniture and demonstrated real ambition; aspiring to become a company director within five years.
The national judges were impressed not just by what Seth has achieved in his work as an apprentice, but also by his eagerness to develop his skillset and complete his psychology diploma. They noted the resilience he showed in not allowing his immigration status challenges hold him back from his ambitions, and his exceptional drive to learn new trades that didn’t necessarily sit within his current curriculum.
In a highly competitive field of talented apprentices, the judges thought Seth stood out in the way he could always be depended on to go the extra mile.
Seth has shown real dedication to this apprenticeship and has overcome many hurdles to do so. He demonstrates resourcefulness and a real eagerness to improve himself against odds. He is a resilient, determined and passionate apprentice, whose aim to be Director of the company within five years can only be admired.’”
