A year ago Corey Borthwick, then 18, was an apprentice draughtsman with Shufflebottom of Cross Hands, in the news for drafting the drawings for a major science block extension at his old school, St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive in Llanelli – only two years after leaving.
Now Llanelli resident Corey has the Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Design and Draughting (QCF) and is a qualified, permanent member of the Shufflebottom drawing office team.
Corey went to post-16 college open days but decided to opt for a more practical career path in the drawing office with Shufflebottom, instead of enrolling for A levels.
“I’m really pleased that this opportunity came along and that I took it,” said Corey at the time. “There is something new to do every day. I knew I wanted a career involving art and CAD – computer-aided design.”
For the first six months of the three-year apprenticeship, Corey studied full-time in Telford at the TDS Academy, and since then on a weekly basis he has sent off independent work for assessment. Carol Rogers, general manager at the academy, said in her letter to Corey with his certificate that he had worked very hard to complete this qualification and the grades attained reflected this.
Apprenticeship has financial advantages over higher education, said Corey. “Unlike a lot of my friends, I won’t have any student loans, and I already have a wage,” he said.
Shufflebottom director Alec Davies said: “Corey is now a full time permanent member of our drawing office and we are all very proud of his achievements.”
The extension at St John Lloyd has a steel frame 36 metres by 21 metres and was made and erected by Shufflebottom for T.A.D. Builders of Furnace, Llanelli.
