WHEN Matt Tregelles left school at 16 he had no idea that a decade on he’d become one of the youngest winners of a top national award for those in the building industry.

Now 26, Matt grew up in west Swindon. He left school after his GCSEs, taking on an apprenticeship in construction. 

Three years ago he was promoted to site manager at Redrow’s Badbury Park development off Marlborough Road. He was then one of the youngest site manager working for the construction giant. 

Now, he’s been handed the Seal of Excellence Award at the National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job Awards – again, one of the youngest ever to have been awarded the honour. 

Matt said: “I am delighted to have received this award as not only does it show recognition for the work that I do but it also shows appreciation for the efforts of my team.

“The NHBC Pride in the Job Awards are so important in the industry as they represent the best of the best. Being one of the youngest winners ever is an honour and I’d like to thank the judges for their decision.

“The first round of the awards sees 16,000 site managers competing for the quality award. This year’s 450 quality award winners were hand-picked for their excellent standards on site. 

“After 12 months of rigorous judging, the first-round winners go on to compete for the Seal of Excellence Awards and regional winner titles.”

It might never have happened but for a four-year building apprenticeship.

At 16 Matt could have done anything, but he landed upon construction: “What really appealed to me back then was that the job role was varied, I knew I wanted something that would never be the same day-in-day-out and offer prospects of progression.”

At the end of the apprenticeship he moved on to become assistant site manager at Badbury Park, then site manager and has since moved to a Redrow development near Cheltenham. 

Asked what advice he would give anyone trying to get into the building industry, Matt said: “The construction industry is forever evolving and learning new ways to develop sustainably in different regions across the UK. It’s an exciting time to join the sector as new developments open and opportunities are on the rise, like Redrow’s apprenticeship scheme. 

“I would tell anyone looking to join or start a career in construction to be prepared for challenges and long days. However, the rewards, opportunities and people that work around you make everything worthwhile.”