Darlington company keeps it in the family!
An award-winning apprentice is joining his family’s nationally-recognised business after completing three years of intense training.
Luke Stone has taken up the role of junior steeplejack engineer at Stone Technical Services in Darlington after completing a three year apprenticeship at the National Construction College in Norfolk.
As well as achieving his NVQ Level 3 in Steeplejack Training with distinction, Luke also picked up two industry awards, the Bert Bird Award for best work portfolio and the Walter Bacon Merit Cup which recognises the most competent in steeplejack laddering.
Twenty-one year old Luke, from Darlington, has gained experience of his industry from a young age working alongside his Dad, Grahame Stone, and Uncle, Dave Stone, who established Stone Technical Services in 1998. Luke hopes to add more qualification in the future and run his own team of men as a foreman and eventually take up a senior post.
Stone specialises in all aspects of high level and general maintenance, lightning conductor installation and steeplejack services as well as restoration and masonry refurbishment projects on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings.
The company has a growing team of 27 at its headquarters in Darlington and also at its offices in Middlesex and central London.
In the last year alone, Stone has worked on a wide range of buildings and structures in the North East and around the UK. Contracts have included projects for St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Courts of Justice and for organisations such as Gentoo, English Heritage and local councils as well as for well known industrial clients such as INEOS Plant Utilities and Teesside Power Station.
Grahame Stone said: “At Stone we pride ourselves on ensuring all our staff are trained to the highest standards and pursue ongoing development programmes. I’m really proud that Luke has decided to join the family business as he’s shown a real enthusiasm for it from a young age. Like all of our trainees, he’s incredibly committed and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
