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13 May 2015

Carving a Cornish Career as an Apprentice

Apprenticeships provide an alternative path to providing people secure employment - this is the story of Lauren, apprentice carpenter and joiner at Cornish eco builders Pioneer EBC.

This August, twenty thousand young Cornish people1 will be joining millions of other young adults to wait for 'results day'. Right now, they're studying hard as GCSE and A Level exams loom on the horizon; whilst deciding what their future holds. It's little wonder these are such formative years.

Whilst a third of young adults2 will enlist in higher education, many are put off by the ever-higher entrance requirements and £9,000 tuition fees. As such many young Cornish people will be looking for different paths to take.

One popular pathway is to become an apprentice: learning key trade skills on the job, providing job security and increasing career opportunities. Five thousand or so Cornish people3 will start an apprenticeship this year, and over half will be young adults.

One young woman carving her Cornish career is 19-year-old apprentice Lauren Angove, from Lanner.

Lauren wanted a trade behind her and, following in her father's footsteps, is learning the carpentry and joinery trade at Porthtowan-based Pioneer Environmental Building Company. Spending four days earning and learning with the small and friendly eco-builders with just a day in college, Lauren's learning life-skills and finding happiness outside her NVQ.

Before starting her apprenticeship, Lauren worked in different jobs: experiencing the hardship and uncertainties of fixed-term and zero-hour contracts. She's now found enjoyment, accomplishment and support. She said,"Ifind my apprenticeship rewarding - not just for the practical woodworking skills I'm learning, but feeling a valued part of Pioneer. Working with really lovely people who enjoy, and are proud of their work. We all work together and help tobring out the best in each other".

Asked what she'd advise her younger self and peers, Lauren suggested"You don't have to go to university or get into debt to have a successful and fun career. If you enjoy working and being hands-on, if that's what keeps you entertained, then don't limit your options. You have to do something that you truly enjoy and have a passion for. I'd tell my younger self to look into apprenticeships and not to worry about what all my peers are doing, university isn’t for everyone, and not going doesn’t make you any less successful than someone who does. I am able to learn on the job and get paid for something I love doing"

At Pioneer, situated in Mount Pleasant Eco Park, the team build pre-fabricated bespoke timber buildings and fully-finished holiday lodges. Lauren is joined by her informal mentor John,director Tim, and his team. Together, they typically see jobs through from initial design, and planning application,to putting the finishing touches onsite. Lauren enjoys getting involved in all of the building aspects of the job, especially the joinery side, then later installing everything into the buildings and the other finishing touches.

Tim Stirrup, director of Pioneer, complimented Lauren's contribution: "Since joining us in March, Lauren's been a fantastic addition to our team. She's a quick learner with so much enthusiasm it’s infectious".

Lauren picked Pioneer with help from the Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency (CAA) - who help match adults with their dream apprenticeship, supporting them and their employer throughout the process.

Stephen Roberts, Skills Broke Executive from the CAA, said: "We are very pleased to see Lauren harnessing her current skills and developing new ones alongside the team at Pioneer. The CAA offer bespoke apprenticeship solutions for business across all sectors and this good news story is a perfect example of local business providing real opportunities for young people who’ve chosen to follow the vocational learning pathway rather than purely academic."

Further Information

Pioneer Environmental Building Company: 01209 891 500 / /

Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency: 01326 314 904 / /

Please direct press queries to Kieran Highman: / 07789280965 /

Footnote References

1 - Cornwall Council population statistics (2011):

2 - ONS Annual Population Survey (2011), data analysis sourced via The Guardian:

3 - Parliamentary Note on Apprenticeship Statistics (2015), parliamentary constituencies' breakdown: