Seddon Construction’s Tom Smalley flies the flag for Apprenticeships
Tom Smalley, Site Manager at Seddon Construction, and Leadership and Management Apprentice with Apprenticeships at Salford City College, is proving anyone can thrive as an apprentice. 27-year-old Tom, who works full-time for Seddon, and who is currently a site manager on a £8.4 million project for Cumbria County Council, is also working towards his management qualification with the help of Apprenticeships at Salford City College. Tom believes it is this additional training provided by his apprenticeship which has helped him step up to this role. He said: “I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. It is a great way to get on the job experience along with an academic qualification. Plus, you get paid whilst completing it.”
Earlier this year, Tom was announced as Apprenticeships at Salford City College ‘Overall Apprentice of the Year’. It was the first time the apprenticeship provider has celebrated leadership and management apprentices at their annual awards event, which is why it was even more significant that Tom also won the overall apprentice accolade. Tom was highly commended by his employer, Seddon, at the awards, describing him as ‘outstanding’, ‘proactive’, ‘the perfect role model’ and ‘fully-deserving of this award’.
When asked about his award win, Tom said: “I think it is brilliant that a management apprentice has won overall apprentice of the year as hopefully it shows that apprenticeships aren’t just for those who are starting out in their profession. There are a wide range of apprenticeships available to people of all ages and at all stages of their career.” Tom believes it is his hard work and determination that secured him the win and he had this advice to other apprentices or anyone considering an apprenticeship: “My advice to other apprentices is simple – nothing replaces hard work. If you are willing to put in the work, you will see the benefits and achieve what you set out to. I believe I have achieved this award and been so successful so far in my qualification because I’m not afraid of hard work.”
Apprenticeships at Salford City College offer a range of apprenticeship qualifications, for people of all ages and at all stages in their career. Allan Milne, Head of Apprenticeship and Business Development at Apprenticeships at Salford City College, said: “Whether an individual is at the beginning of their career, looking to take their first steps onto the career ladder, or already an established professional simply looking to upskill or get that promotion they have been aiming for, we offer programmes for an all manner of people.”
So if you are looking to upskill, retrain or are just starting out, contact Apprenticeship at Salford City College on 0161 631 5555, or by emailing to apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk
