TDR Summers - building a future for success

TDR Summers Ltd

Apprenticeships and vocational training at North Devon College are a family tradition for builders TDR Summers.

Royston Summers started it all 34 years ago when he completed a City and Guilds in Building at the college. He has worked as a mason ever since, covering all aspects of the trade, working initially for AF Beer then AA Beer. Latterly he has been self employed for several years.

Sons Tim and Dan Summers followed their father into the construction industry, supported by training at NDC. Tim, 27, completed the apprenticeship in Trowel Occupations, then an advanced apprenticeship and went on to higher education with an ONC in Building Studies.

Brother Dan, 25, followed an apprenticeship path in Wood Occupations at foundation and advanced level, before going on to achieve an ONC in Building Studies and an HNC in Construction.

Both students excelled in their separate vocations:

  • Tim won the Lou Drake Award for Best Mason in 1998
  • Dan won the UCATT Cup for Woodworking (under 18 years) in 2001, the Tony Layzell Memorial Cup for Woodworking in 2002 and the Professional Studies Peter Stone Award in 2004

Tim says "I automatically wanted to do my apprenticeship to learn the family trade. The quality training at college had structure and complemented what I was learning on site". Dan added "You definitely need the combination of site and college training to succeed. I really enjoyed learning the theory alongside developing practical skills".

Tim put his management talents to good use, deciding to set up a family business in 2004, with Royston joining in 2005. Dan joined in 2006 bringing his complimentary skills to the firm.

Since then TDR Summers has grown from strength to strength and established itself as a reputable company through the combination of skilled craftsmen and the delivery of quality service to the local community. Work is mainly small residential extensions, some new builds and loft conversions.

The commitment to providing excellent standards to customers is endorsed by the growing client base of satisfied customers. "We are very grateful to you once again for your services" Mr H, Fremington "Superb job .... we really are thrilled!" (Mrs T, Yelland).

Now TDR Summers is growing with the additional skills of younger brothers Tom 16 and Jamie, 23, currently doing apprenticeships in Trowel and Wood Occupations respectively. Dan says "The business is doing extremely well and we have been able to take on two of our own apprentices". Tom says "I am enjoying my time at college. I did my work experience with the company and decided an apprenticeship was something I wanted to follow on with". Jamie says "Although! didn't want to study initially, I saw how well my brothers had done and wanted to progress in the Same way".

Tim firmly believes in the value of apprenticeships and training at North Devon College "We wouldn't be able to do what we do without getting the skills. Our long term plan is to carry on providing a quality service".