A YOUNG but ambitious adult has laid the foundations for a successful career in the construction industry.

Joshua Copp, aged 21 and from Weymouth, completed a four week placement at Aster Group.

During the placement Joshua worked with the group’s response team helping to repair and maintain hundreds of homes across the county.

He learned a number of new skills including fitting door and window frames, safety clearing a construction site and working as a team.

Aster Group, which has offices in Wareham and Poole, builds 1,000 new homes every year and maintains 28,000 existing homes from Cornwall to Hampshire.

It has partnered with South West Regional Assessment Centre to provide 12 work placements for young adults every year.

Joshua said: “Due to a recent move I was out of work and looking to get my foot back in the door.

“As soon as I heard about the scheme I knew it was something I would benefit from doing and I’m so glad I did.

“It’s helped me in more ways than one; I learnt something new every day and have expanded on the skills and knowledge I had from previous roles.

“It’s also made me realise this is definitely the industry I want to go in to and I’d be happy to work for an organisation like Aster in the future.”

Angela Gould, digital and partnership manager for Aster Group, added: “We are committed to giving something back to our local communities.

“Our work placement scheme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn something new and to get some real hands on experience.

“All of our students have been so willing and eager to learn and we’re delighted to see three go on and secure permanent work.”

Through the Aster Foundation, a programme of work designed to benefit society, Aster is also dedicated to reducing its environmental impact, supporting local charitable initiatives though match funding and volunteering days and improving the financial and digital skills of its customers.

Adrian Gunner, managing director of South West Regional Assessment Centre, said: “The commitment that Aster has made to providing work experience opportunities is absolutely fantastic and offers such a valuable opportunity for our trainees.Aster has shown such a genuine concern to helping people progress and we are so pleased to be working with them.”