A stonecarver who has been supported by Croydon specialists Stonewest during his three year course at the London Art School has gained his Diploma in Architectural Stone Carving (City & Guilds).

After initially studying design, Ivan Cudby, a 23 year old Beckenham resident, contacted Stonewest, aware of their reputation for quality jobs and commitment to craftsmanship. "I wanted to learn the traditions of stonemasonry and it was just brilliant luck that Stonewest are a local firm. I had decided I wanted to explore the practical rather than design side of the business and couldn\'t have a better place to learn. Its great to learn the tools of the trade of the traditional artisan."

Cudby worked with Stonewest on some of their most prestigious projects (notably Wellington Arch) during his holidays and the company contributed to his college fees, helped fund his tools and even donated the stone for college projects - such as the Portland stone in which he carved a copy of Michelangelo\'s Crouching Man for his finals.

Stonewest director Nick Wilson says Stonewest are pro-actively engaged in developing the expertise of a future generation of stonemasons and currently have trainees undertaking the 3-year CITB NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) course in Stone Masonry.

As a new venture they have registered 13 of their staff on a FaÁade Maintenance NVQ and apprentices, trainees and staff are also engaged on Health, Safety, Ethical & Environmental courses and training in management skills.

And Stonewest are ahead of schedule in respect of registration of their workforce, operatives and management under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), the initiative aimed at providing a safe working environment and fully competent workforce.

Stonewest\'s Kevin Reuter says: "Of course, Stonewest benefit by increasing the skills of our workforce, which is why we are so committed to developing the skills of stonemasonry. People talk of a skills shortage - the way to overcome that possibility is by encouraging enthusiasts such as Ivan.

"That is not to say training has to be formal or just masonry oriented. The company spend ever more on training for operatives and staff alike with subjects ranging from lime mortars to computer skills.

Nick Wilson added: "The variety and profile of our work is second to none - operatives and staff alike are keen to work on landmark projects such as Palace of Westminster and the recently secured West front and steps of St Paul\'s Cathedral.

"Our directly employed labour force reflects the lowest employment turnover in the business, which is a pertinent reflection of the quantity and quality of high-profile jobs Stonewest are consistently achieving.""