Kye’s Story

Kye's early life was turbulent. Along with his siblings he went into care, aged 8. Expelled from secondary school, he found he had a passion for bricklaying and grasped a second chance. Now he's Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year 2022.

A tough beginning

Both Kye’s parents suffered from addiction and mental health issues. The family split up and aged 8, Kye and his siblings went into care.

It was tough moving from home to home without his parents and Kye’s own mental health suffered.

With each change of home came a change of schools. Kye struggled to concentrate on schoolwork and make long term friends. Bad behaviour resulted in Kye being expelled from secondary school.

A second chance and developing a passion for bricklaying

Kye grasped a second chance at a new secondary school, knuckled down, made friends and got good GCSEs.

During a spell working with his father he got to try his hand at several building trades and developed a passion for bricklaying.

He then won an apprenticeship with Lee Marley Brickwork. Although his potential was obvious to his lecturers at Brooklands College, Kye took a while to settle, build his confidence and accept the praise he was given for his work and commitment.

Forging ahead, winning awards

Kye moved into his own flat which gave him a stable base from which to make good progress through his apprenticeship. Two years later he completed his NVQ Level 2 in Bricklaying. He’s now moved on to his Level 3 Bricklaying qualification and is working towards his Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSTS) Supervisors qualification. He’s also completed a range of Association of Brickwork Contractors short courses.

Highly regarded by his company, Kye has been notching up awards, including the Fix Radio Apprentice of the Year and 1st place in Forterra’s London Apprentice Challenge in 2021, en-route to becoming the Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year 2022 in the 14 – 18 year old category.

Kye’s ambitions are to complete his Level 3 course and to develop his career with Lee Marley Brickwork as a skilled bricklayer on high quality brickwork projects and move into supervisory positions.

Kye’s advice to others who have faced challenges in their young life is to get an apprenticeship, earn as you learn, meet new friends and see your confidence build as your skill grows.