David Hall (centre) receives his award from the Master of the Plaisterers Livery, Timothy Cooke OBE (left), and the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Peter Estlin (right).
Kirkby Thore-based British Gypsum employee, David Hall has seen his hard work in training plasterers recognised with a lifetime achievement honour from an industry trade body which began back in the 1500s.
David, the company’s National Technical Academy Manager, has been awarded The Lifetime Contribution to Training Award at this year’s Plaisterers Training Awards. The Awards, run by the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers*, recognise the highest standards of achievement in training and education within the UK plastering trade.
Since joining British Gypsum nearly 30 years ago (March 1989), David has worked tirelessly to improve training for plasterers through the network of Technical Academies.
Most recently David worked in close collaboration with the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) to help shape the new three-year Plasterer Trailblazer Apprenticeships and reach new plasterer apprenticeship standards.
David’s unwavering commitment to supporting fellow professionals, along with the time he dedicates to the development of new talent in the industry, have led to him receiving this accolade.
David Kehoe, British Gypsum’s Technical Support Representative who nominated his mentor David for the honour, said: “Since I have known him, David has worked tirelessly to forward the training agenda from both a professional and personal perspective and has had massive influence in shaping the face of the industry, particularly in recent years as we work at addressing the current skills gap.”
David Hall commented: “I am humbled and honoured to have received this award. I have had a vested interest in securing the future of plastering and drylining through industry leading training. It is clear that the young generation will shape the future of our industry and it is our responsibility to support them and ensure they are equipped with the tools and know-how to keep the arts of plastering and drylining alive.”
British Gypsum, part of the Saint-Gobain Group, is the UK’s leading manufacturer of interior lining systems with five specialist manufacturing sites located across the UK. Since opening its first Training Academy in 1966, the company has delivered more than 500,000 days of training through its Network of Academies throughout the UK – David Hall has been instrumental in its ongoing development.
*The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (correct historical spelling) was originally formed in the 1500s as a trade guild of the City of London to regulate the quality of plastering in the City and to safeguard the welfare and interests of plasterers. Today, charitable activities and support for the craft of plastering through annual awards and training bursaries are the two cornerstones of its work. http://plaistererslivery.co.uk/
