Member Article

Council leader meets apprentices benefitting from new development

Representatives from South Gloucestershire Council found out how a new development in North Yate is creating employment opportunities for local people, as well as new homes, this week.

Council leader Toby Savage, and Cllr Steve Reade visited Ladden Garden Village, where David Wilson Homes is working to bring 183 new homes to the town.

As well as providing new homes for local people, the development is supporting an estimated 549 jobs and providing opportunities for apprentices and graduates to work towards nationally-recognised qualifications.

During their visit Cllr Reade and Toby Savage got the chance to meet with some of the apprentices gaining vital experience at Ladden Garden Village. Among them is 17-year-old Joe Mortimore from Bradley Stoke who is in the first year of his carpentry apprenticeship.

He said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. It’s good to learn by actually doing things rather than just reading about them. You have that balance of learning on the job and coursework, which makes every day different.”

Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Toby Savage said: “We are committed to building happy and prosperous communities across South Gloucestershire and it has been a pleasure to come and witness this development taking shape and see that not only is it delivering much needed housing for local people, but it is also creating jobs and providing opportunities for young people from our area to develop new skills through apprenticeships. The proportion of new homes being bought by existing Yate residents who are moving from other parts of the town is really impressive.”

Ian Menham, managing director of David Wilson Homes, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome South Gloucestershire Council to Ladden Garden Village this week and show first-hand the social impact the development is having. Getting on-site experience is so vital for young apprentices and we’re pleased Joe and others get to learn their trade on this exciting site.”

The council representatives also met with former armed forces personnel who are carving out new careers in construction thanks to David Wilson Homes’ dedicated ex military training programme.

Among them was Tyrone Bowers, who served in the Army with the Royal Engineers for 24 and a half years. Tyrone, 42, said: “I had that construction background with the Army and a friend knew about the David Wilson Homes training scheme and suggested I go for it. It’s been really good so far and you spend a lot of time on site. I’m due to complete in November, when I’ll become an assistant site manager.”

Work is progressing well at Ladden Garden Village, with many properties already completed and some residents already moved into their new homes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Wilson Homes South West .