Member Article

Housebuilder on the hunt for local talent

With news that the construction industry should be preparing for five years of consistent growth, with 200,000 more workers needed in the sector by 2020, local housebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, is set to launch its apprenticeship programme for 2015 in March (to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week) and vacancies will be live for this year’s intake in West and South Yorkshire on www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk.

As part of its dedication to providing jobs in the construction industry, Barratt Developments’ programme offers vacancies for trade or commercial and technical apprentices, and offers applicants the opportunity to become experts in their chosen field of work. The programmes create a real sense of belonging among apprentices and help successful applicants to fulfil their ambitions within the industry.

Gary Taylor, site manager at the Silkwood Gate development in Wakefield joined Barratt Developments as an apprentice joiner in 1999, and now manages a team of more than 50, commented: “I really enjoyed my apprenticeship working as a joiner, I don’t think there’s any better way to learn than by actually ‘doing’ and that’s exactly what you get to do by undertaking an apprenticeship. After completing my apprenticeship in 2001 I’ve worked across Yorkshire, working my way up from a trainee assistant site manager through assistant and senior assistant site manager, and am now a site manager.”

“My role includes everything from sourcing materials on site to inspecting the build quality of our homes and making sure we maintain the high standard Barratt is known for. Apprenticeships offer a great way to train, allowing you to earn while you learn and to develop your skills through hands-on experience.”

Darren Johnson, Construction Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, commented: “Following the recent announcement from the CITB, predicting that 8,000 new jobs will be created in the industry this year alone, learners from our Apprenticeship Programme will be vital to the growth of our industry. We’re privileged to be able to offer these courses to people in the region, and would urge those interested to apply in March and get their foot on the ladder of this booming industry.”

Barratt Developments’ Apprenticeship Programme has been recognised by industry bodies as the best of its kind and last year won the CITB Apprenticeship Awards, the Top 100 Employers, Apprenticeship National Service Awards and the BT Award for Macro Employer of the Year. National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on 9th March 2015, was set up by the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

For more information on careers with Barratt Developments, please visit http://www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .