Anthony Atkinson a bricklayer and Callum Pritchard-Ellis a joiner

Member Article

New apprentices start at Barratt Developments

Leading housebuilder, Barratt Developments, (North West division) which comprises Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes (DWH) has this month welcomed 14 new construction apprentices, as part of an ambitious drive to boost numbers of skilled tradespeople needed in the region. On-site training will take place at locations all over the North West, including its Imagine Park development in Liverpool.

Barratt Developments boasts an award winning graduate programme, Barratt Academy – second only to Microsoft’s in the UK – which offers programmes for apprentices and trainees to create the very best skills learning environment.

Nationally, the housebuilder already ranks in The City & Guilds top 100 apprentice employers in England, and has once again been awarded the maximum 5 star rating for six years in a row. It has also won a total of 90 NHBC Pride in the Job Awards – the 10th year it has scooped more than any other housebuilder.

As well as directly employing local people in a wide spectrum of jobs including bricklaying, joinery, carpentry and site management, Barratt’s strategy is to only work with subcontractors who are committed to long term investment in the industry. This provides long-term career stability for both employees and employers, a move aimed at helping to promote a career in construction as a “job for life.”

Bernard Rooney, Regional Managing Director, Barratt Developments (Central Region), which includes the North West), said: “We’re extremely proud of our apprenticeship programmes, which offer the very highest level of training available in the construction industry. Our graduates leave with the crucial skills and confidence they need to carve out a successful career, and indeed many go on to become long-standing Barratt employees.

“Building more homes to address the shortage of housing in the UK is high on the political agenda, and if we are to keep up with demand, we urgently need to attract more people into the industry. Here in the North West, there are lots of exciting opportunities up for grabs for talented young people who want to forge their career in the building sector.

“There are so many great reasons to employ apprentices. Not only are they essential to ensure a skilled workforce for the future and an integral part of our sustainability agenda, but they also bring fresh ideas, energy and enthusiasm to our workforce.”

One such apprentice is Anthony Atkinson, 17, from Liverpool, who joins Barratt Homes as a trainee bricklayer in September. He is looking forward to combining paid on the job training with the opportunity to gain a recognised NVQ qualification.

He said: “Being a bricklayer apprentice with Barratt is a fantastic opportunity for me, as it’s something I’ve wanted to do since school.” Anthony, who attended Hillside High School in Liverpool, will learn theory at Hugh Baird College for one day a week, and receive “on the job” training on site for the remaining four days.

“An apprenticeship really works for me, as not only am I learning a skill which I hope will become my career, but I’m also being paid for it too.”

Joining Anthony on site will be fellow apprentice, Callum Pritchard - Ellis, 19, who is training to be a joiner. For more information: http://www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk/about-us/

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

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