Jack Silcox (centre) with his fellow award winners
Published June 4, 2018 at 11:28
An apprentice joiner who has overcome adversity took the top honour at an industry awards ceremony hosted by celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock.
Jack Slicox, an apprentice with Waterfoot-based construction firm B&E Boys, was diagnosed with the developmental co-ordination disorder dyspraxia while at secondary school.
But with the support of his teachers and family – and his own determination – he studied at weekends, evenings and during his holidays to achieve eight GCSEs.
The 20-year-old from Bacup, who is studying for his apprenticeship with Accrington and Rossendale College, won the overcoming adversity award at the recent Young Persons in Construction Awards.
He was then named as the overall winner at the event which is organised by the Construction Development Alliance to recognise exceptional young talent in the North West construction industry.
The ceremony at Burnley Mechanics Theatre was hosted by Charlie Dimmock, famous for TV shows like Ground Force and Garden Rescue.
John Boys, a director at B&E Boys, said:
Jack manages his dyspraxia positively on a day-to-day basis. He is a hard-working young man and his colleagues find his enthusiasm infectious.
We are delighted that he has won these awards.
Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, attended the ceremony.
She added:
I was delighted to see Jack win two awards. They are well-deserved and I wish him all the best for his future which I’m sure will be successful.
Construction is a growth sector in Rossendale and it needs skilled young people like Jack to ensure that it continues to thrive. That’s why it is important that we have awards ceremonies like this.
The evening was a wonderful celebration of not only the achievements of young people, but the important part they have to play in the future of the property and construction industry in the North West.