Local apprentices are being given the opportunity to climb the workplace ladder on the building site of the new Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield.

Edmund Sully, 38, and Davey Xhika, 19, both live in Enfield and both attended Enfield College, where they studied plumbing. Now they’ve been offered full time jobs as apprentice plumbers on the large hospital site and are learning a whole host of new skills.

Edmund is working for Norstead and Davey is working for another contractor, called Lalux, who are both under the main contractors, IHP.

Both apprentices are supervised on the job and are being given tasks such as being responsible for the stores, which helps them learn the names of all the equipment, as well as cutting and threading pipes.

Davey Xhika said: “I’ve always been more interested in practical stuff. The important thing is to listen and learn and be able to take the banter on a building site!”

Edmund Sully added: “I’ve done all sorts of jobs including working in a milk factory and some plumbing related work but this is the first time I’ve worked on a site. You do need to be physically fit and happy to work in all weathers but I enjoy the work and the people you meet.”

Steve Williams, senior site manager from IHP, said: “We are keen to promote construction within the local neighbourhood and show people this can be an interesting career. We’re looking for people who have that desire to learn and develop. I love this job, it’s great to be able to point out iconic buildings and tell people you’ve been involved with the build.”