Learning and loyalty earn rewards from employer

Staff at an electrical and mechanical engineering firm have been recognised for excellence and long service.

Fourteen members of staff at Derry Building Services received awards in recognition of their hard work, including six apprentices.

The firm employs 245 people, more than 20% of whom are completing an apprenticeship or higher education.

Mr Sam Kowalczyk, 20, of Balderton, was named stage three electrical apprentice of the year.

He said: “It is overwhelming and an amazing achievement, but hard work has paid off.

“I joined because I heard good reports from people who were working in the company who were well looked-after.

“[The award] was mostly to do with the quality of my work but that’s all down to Derry Building Services teaching me, the support they have given me and how they have helped me develop.”

Mechanical apprentice of the year Mr Ben Beales, 22, of Balderton, followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Mr Mark Hurst, and grandfather Mr Ron Hurst, who both worked at the firm.

Mr Beales said: “It is a proud achievement, especially coming into my last year when I will be fully qualified.

“It has gone really quickly and this is something to be proud of.”

Senior mechanical site manager Mr Jim Goy, 41, of Balderton, was recognised for completing 25 years with Derry Building Services.

His father, Mr Phil Goy, worked for the firm for 25 years before retiring two years ago.

Mr Jim Goy’s brothers, Mr Nicky Goy and Mr Andrew Goy, have also worked for Derry Building Services.

Director Mr Steve Burley said: “We have singled these winners out from the apprentices because we think what they have achieved at college or what they have achieved on-site makes them stand out.”

Jordan Brabbin was named stage one electrical apprentice of the year, Nathan Wilson was the stage two winner and Daniel Hollingsworth was stage four.

Sam Foskett took home the award for mechanical achievement of the year.

Those recognised for ten years of service were electrical project manager Paul Charlesworth; electrical design engineer Lance Dyer; QS administrator Stacey Harrison; senior quantity surveyor Joanne Lacey; electrical design engineer Luke Scatliffe; electrical site manager Nicky Tong; and plant department operative Mark Winter.