Carmarthenshire's Joe Moriarty crowned Specialist Apprentice of the Year UK

A Carmarthenshire Council trainee from the Tywi Centre in Llandeilo has been crowned Specialist Apprentice of the Year UK.
Joe Moriarty won the prestigious National Construction College award for his work in the traditional trade of lime plastering.
The Tywi Centre runs the Specialist Apprenticeship Programme with the aim of addressing the skills shortage in traditional trades of stonemasonry, lime plastering and carpentry; working closely with heritage construction companies who provide placements and on-site training.
Joe was selected through the Heritage Bursary Scheme which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Construction Industry Training supported by Carmarthenshire County Council and the National Trust.
During the 12 month programme Joe worked with two companies including Just Lime Ltd where he was considered to be such an asset to the team that he was offered a job.
Paul Walters from Just Lime Ltd said: “Joe has great commitment and enthusiasm for building conservation and takes great pride in the work we carry out; knowing that the work he’s done is going to be part of the history of the building through safeguarding its future.”
Since completing the Specialist Apprenticeship Programme Joe has worked exclusively with lime plasters and has worked on some prestigious projects on listed buildings, the restoration of domestic dwellings and modern building projects using traditional materials.
Joe said he gets an enormous sense of satisfaction from working on local restoration and conservation projects.
“The project I have gained the most satisfaction from would be the restoration work I have carried out on St Illtyd’s Church in Ilston,” he said. “It's a 13th century medieval building that had been, over the last 50 years or so, unintentionally mistreated. The fact that I'm from the area and have spent my childhood going on walks and playing in its graveyard and now restoring it, makes me feel almost part of the building, it’s a special feeling.”
Joe has also become an ambassador for the promotion of heritage materials and techniques and has worked with the Tywi Centre to improve diversity in the sector by working with groups of women and providing lime plastering and decorative plastering workshops.
Tywi Centre manager Nell Hellier said: “We are delighted that Joe has won this prestigious award. All of the 72 trainees who have followed the scheme have achieved so much with most of them still working within the heritage construction industry in Wales and making a great contribution towards the conservation of Wales’s wonderful built heritage.”
Executive Board Member for Regeneration Cllr Meryl Gravell congratulated Joe on his achievement adding: “Joe is making a huge contribution to the heritage construction industry in Wales and thoroughly deserves this recognition.”