Member Article

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West celebrates ex-service staff this Armed Forces Day

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, which includes both the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, is celebrating Armed Forces Day, 30th June, by highlighting the success of previous Armed Forces recruits.

Barratt Developments is keen to support the UK’s armed forces, and is always on the lookout for applicants with this background who are eager to start a career in housebuilding. There are many transferable skills, which these recruits possess, such as team leadership, project management and organisation, which are ideal to bring to the construction industry.

A recent ex-Armed Forces recruit, Leigh Coe, 28, is currently shadowing as an Assistant Site Manager at Barratt Homes’ Vision development in Keighley, meaning he helps to manage one of the housebuilder’s busiest sites.

“I have been with the company for nearly a month and it’s been such a valuable experience from day one. I left the Army in January 2016 and was employed as a Trainee Site Manager for a commercial firm building. Following this, I applied for a five year part time construction management course at Leeds Beckett University. I completed my second year in May and I am now waiting for my third year to start in September, whilst working with Barratt Homes as an Assistant Site Manager.

“Barratt Developments has already been a major help in supporting my studies and I really look forward to developing my skills on its sites. My advice for anyone making the transition from the Armed Forces into construction is to exhaust all available information and resources to make sure they know their next step is the right for them. Barratt Developments also offers a brilliant recruitment programme, so I would also urge people to consider this option.”

Barratt Developments’ has an Armed Forces recruitment programme. This is now in its third year, following its launch in 2016, after identifying that many ex-forces personnel possess the skills and expertise that are in high demand within the housebuilding industry. The programme teaches essential construction skills, people management and self-development, building on applicants’ existing skills gained during careers in the Army, Navy or RAF. During the 12-month programme, recruits will be responsible for a number of areas, including supporting the Site Manager in coordinating trades, labour and materials to meet production deadlines.

Ian Ruthven, Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, said: “We’re very proud of the fantastic work our Armed Forces do and are pleased to be able to help ex-service men and women in any way we can. This Armed Forces Day, we’re proud to highlight our ex-Armed Forces employees and our recruitment programme, and hope to continue to welcome further talented workers to play a vital role in building high-quality homes across the region.”

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