Following on from the recent UK National Apprenticeship week, Cornwall Glass Group recognises the strength that apprentices bring to the team speaking about Matt Prowse, who joined the company at the young age of 16 as an apprentice, and has steadily built up his career learning every aspect of the industry, and is now a dedicated member of the sales team.
The theme at this year’s National Apprenticeship week was ‘Great Apprenticeships’ where ‘great businesses are made by apprentices and apprentices lead to great prospects’. The Cornwall Glass Group recognises the strength that apprentices bring to the team. Matt Prowse, who joined the company at the young age of 16 as an apprentice has steadily built up his career learning every aspect of the industry where now he is a dedicated member of the sales team. Matt’s story is a perfect example of how successful apprenticeship schemes can be prosperous for both the apprentice themselves and the possibilities which open up to them and for the company as well, how both the company and apprentice can continue to grow and develop together.
Matt’s extensive knowledge has been crafted through his experience from beginning his career in the glass factory as an apprentice where his talents lead him progressing him to production supervisor and further onto managing the team at Cornwall Glass & Glazing Ltd. Through these roles it enabled Matt to gain an in depth knowledge and understanding of the industry, where he then channelled this knowledge into successfully managing the store in Launceston, Dunheved Glass Centre. Utilising his wealth of experience and understanding of the glass and glazing industry he is now embarking on his newest position within the company’s sales team, where he will be serving trade customers throughout the South-West region specifically representing Westcountry Glass at Saltash as well as our branch in Highbridge M5 Glass Centre.
Angus Herdman, Sales Director at Cornwall Glass & Glazing commented: “We are delighted that Matt has joined our sales team, which now numbers six experienced individuals who are dedicated to serving our trade customers’ requirements, whether that be double or triple glazed sealed units and toughened glass through to processed glass and mirror and the ever growing list of more. Matt has successfully encountered every part of the business during his 13 year career with us since joining as a fresh faced school leaver, so he really does know our trade inside out and from which will benefit him in his new role.”
Cornwall Glass and Glazing currently employs 16 apprentices in various locations within its network of 15 branches covering the Southwest. Apprentices work in a variety of roles as Branch Assistants, Glaziers, Operatives within the factories and some in the Business Administration areas of the company. The age range of the apprentices varies from 17 to 40 which shows the company’s ability and passion to provide continued training throughout colleagues careers. Ongoing training and development helps to develop the skills the Apprentices need within the company for now and in the future. To date 33 colleagues have achieved NVQ’s at Level 2/3 and options for Higher Apprenticeships are now being investigated.