Apprentice plumber Billy Smith of Outwell has returned from a four-week study trip to Finland organised by the College of West Anglia (CWA).

Wisbech Standard: Billy Smith, who lives in Outwell, who has been on a 4 week study trip to FinlandBilly Smith, who lives in Outwell, who has been on a 4 week study trip to Finland (Image: Archant)

The 22-year-old, who works for Lovell in King’s Lynn, learned new skills at a local college and during a work placement with a Finnish plumbing firm.

He was one of six CWA students taking part in the exchange visit.

Trainee plumber Billy is part of the Lovell team working on the large-scale housing regeneration programme which the firm is carrying out for Freebridge Community Housing at Hillington Square.

Billy was based in Kouvola in south-east Finland, around 80 miles from Helsinki.

Wisbech Standard: Billy Smith, who lives in Outwell, who has been on a 4 week study trip to FinlandBilly Smith, who lives in Outwell, who has been on a 4 week study trip to Finland (Image: Archant)

“Overall it was a really good life experience, and I enjoyed working with so many different people – and in a different language,” he said.

“We had some basic phrases to start us off and I picked up some of the language while I was there,” says Billy. “Kouvola is a nice place, laidback and small and I made some good friends.”

Billy is now in the third year of his four-year apprenticeship with Lovell, and is mainly based on the Hillington Square project. He studies part-time at the College of West Anglia and expects to finish his advanced NVQ Level 3 plumbing qualification next summer.

Dermott Brennan, programme manager for Construction at the College of West Anglia said: “Billy has a very positive attitude towards his work and gets on with everybody. He is a real pleasure to teach.

“Students are encouraged to partake in trips and events that enhance their learning and life experience and boost their chance of employability.

“This Finland visit is one of many overseas trips that have taken place over the last academic year.”