KHT apprentice wins award

A young gas fitter from Kirkby has been named Apprentice of the Year for his work with Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT).

Dave Coogan, 21, has been an apprentice gas engineer at KHT for the past four years and his enthusiasm and hard work has now earned him national recognition.

He received his award – presented by the Direct Works Forum which honours housing association staff – at a ceremony in Coventry where he also won a prize of £1,000.

He said: “It is such a big boost to win an award like this – it really inspires you to keep trying your best. I think it just comes down to having a positive attitude and ambition.

“My family is very proud and I hope it shows that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can still achieve.”

After gaining A Levels in business, IT, and finance at All Saints Catholic Centre for Learning in Kirkby, he decided to pursue a trade and applied to KHT.

He passed the interview and was accepted onto a gas installation and maintenance apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship was even more special as his dad Dave has worked at KHT for more than 30 years.
His apprenticeship comes to an end in August and he hopes to stay on with KHT and work towards further qualifications in building.

During his time at KHT he has studied at Liverpool Community College one day a week and has gained a Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in gas installation and maintenance.

He said: “When I left sixth form I was considering university but I wanted something more hands on.

“Apprenticeships give you a practical experience of life and for me it has opened my eyes to the importance of things like central heating to people’s homes and lives and the difference you can make as an engineer.”

The award is not the first time his hard work has been recognised.

In 2008, he won the First Year Progress award from the North West Training Council, which funds his apprenticeship, and in 2010 he won the Final Year Apprentice Progress award and the NW Training Council’s Triumph Trophy.

Last year he was a finalist for the Apprentice of the Year award with the NW Training Council and won a trip a Germany and was also nominated as Apprentice of the Year in Knowsley Council’s Business Awards.

KHT executive director Maggi Howard said: “Dave is a real success story for KHT. He has gone from strength to strength since he joined us and he is well respected by everyone he works with.

“I’m really proud that he has achieved this award. I think it is his fantastic attitude and social skills that really make him shine, he knows how to deal with customers and really respects that he is in their home when he is working.”