A PLUMBER who was given his big break through an apprenticeship is returning the favour by putting a career in the pipeline for another Swindon College student.

Lee Flanagan, who finished his studies at the college in 2002 and now owns CentraHeat heating and plumbing, is taking on an apprentice of his own after reaping the benefits of the scheme.

The 30-year-old has taken on 19-year-old student Rob Dawes, who is just about to start his level 3 course in plumbing and heating at the college in North Star Avenue.

“I spoke to a few people at the college to see if there was anybody there who would be suitable and they gave me Rob’s name. He is top of his class in theory and practical and I realised there was an opportunity,” said Lee.

“There is a lot of doom and gloom at the moment, nobody has any work so it is a positive thing to be able to take someone on. He will shadow me and he will pick it up as he goes along.”

Lee did a full apprenticeship with his father’s company, JP Flanagan and Sons, and worked there for about 11 years.

“People are starting to realise that heating and plumbing are more in demand than people first thought. A lot of people are doing fast track training, but you can’t beat on the job experience where you have to think on your feet. To do an apprenticeship is the best,” he said.

“I wanted to give the opportunity to someone else. I know what I got out of it, I can see the benefits he is going to have and because I have done an apprenticeship I can chop and change the things that I thought suited me and some that didn’t.”

Former Headlands School pupil Rob, of St Andrew’s Ridge, started working alongside Lee last week and will be continuing his college studies one day a week on day release from September.

“I did the level two course at Swindon College and I feel I excelled and I really enjoyed the trade. I felt I would really enjoy a career in the industry and so far I am,” he said.

Lee will be paying for Rob to complete his studies at college and is expecting to take Rob on full-time after he finishes.