The BMF is encouraging its members to nominate a rising star for its prestigious Young Achiever Awards.
With so much media focus on skill shortages and the difficulties of getting young people into the industry, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there is already a pool of extremely talented young people working in the builders’ merchants industry.
Launched in 2013 to recognise and reward talent, commitment, innovation and achievement, the 2018 BMF Young Achiever Awards will be presented to managers under 35 who have demonstrated an ability to go above and beyond in their business; coming up with and implementing new ideas and concepts or spotting new opportunities that really enhance the business.
The main Award is for merchant managers, however, there are also awards for the Young Merchant Runner Up and also BMF Young Supplier Achiever Award, in recognition of the efforts that suppliers go to, to ensure good working relationships with their customers and the difference that getting it right can make to both businesses. The Judging Panel is made up of representatives from the BMF, editors from the trade press, the Sponsors and the current chairperson of the BMF Young Merchant Group.
The image shows Jordan Boyce, one of the 2017 winners, receiving his Level 2 Apprentice of the Year Award at the Gala Dinner at BMF Members’ Day last year.
Jordan was quickly identified as a rising star by his employer, James Burrell in Ossett, West Yorkshire and his Apprenticeship in Trade Business Services enabled him to gain experience in all aspects of work within the firm. Having been taken on to work in the sales office, he was keen to help out in the yard and warehouse when they were short-staffed. He was soon capable of working in all departments and was trained to drive the forklift so he could perform more tasks.
Approaching his coursework with a similar mindset, Jordan demonstrated his intention to develop his skills and knowledge as well as taking on new responsibilities at work. Having completed his course, he not only has responsibility for his own contract customers, he is also supporting a new apprentice in his original branch, and is already proving to be a great asset in another branch where he is gaining further experience working in a different area.
To enter the awards or nominate a worthy candidate please visit www.bmf.org.uk/events Young Achiever Awards, download an entry form and send your completed form to june.upton@bmf.org.uk by 13 July 2018.
The Awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner at BMF Members’ Day, being held this year at St. George’s Park, Burton on 26-27 September.
