Member Article

Romsey apprentice marks one year anniversary with Barratt Homes

A student from Romsey is celebrating a year-long apprenticeship with Barratt Homes – just in time for National Apprenticeship Week.

Jacob Glasspool, 18, started as apprentice at the five star housebuilder’s Kings Chase devel-opment on the edge of Romsey town centre, after he impressed Barratt Homes staff at a ca-reers fair at Mountbatten School. Back then, Jacob was keen to start work straight away and was lucky enough to secure himself a place working on the new community where he lives.

A year down the line, just in time for National Apprenticeship Week from 8th – 14th February, the talented teenager is very happy in his role of apprentice. Jacob said: “I feel like I’m making a real difference in Romsey. Creating homes for people is such a special thing to do and I’m so grateful to Barratt Homes.

“I get to have on-the-job training in a specialist skill and attend college to gain qualifications. It’s a great way to earn and learn!

“Carpentry, as a trade, is very much in demand, and Barratt Homes is a fantastic employer - so I have a great opportunity to do well in my chosen career. I have even been back to my school to recommend this route to others.”

Working with local schools and other organisations enables Barratt to offer opportunities for training and career development to local people.

Anthony Dimmick, Community Liaison Manager for Barratt Homes, is thrilled that the house-builder can help young people in the local area progress in their career.

He said: “This is proof that our community outreach projects can have such positive impacts on local people. Our work experience opportunities and educational workshops have inspired Ja-cob in his career journey and it’s wonderful that he is now celebrating having been with us for a whole year.”

Barratt Homes works closely with Test Valley Borough Council through an employment and skills plan, which sets out how the developer and its sub-contractors will recruit and train local people and provide career advice in local schools.

Test Valley Borough Council Economic development portfolio holder, councillor David Drew, said: “It is great that Barratt Homes is working closely with local schools to build career opportunities for the next generation.

“It seems fitting that Jacob is marking his one year with Barratt Homes during National Apprenticeship Week. There’s no doubt, apprenticeship programmes such as these will offer people like Jacob skills for life.”

Test Valley Borough Council offer careers advice and encourage young people into the sector as part of delivering the council’s employment and skills plan for King’s Chase.

Councillor Drew said: “The council is working with a number of the major homebuilders across the borough on plans for employment and enhancing skills for those taking on apprenticeships, work placements and other opportunities. We’re very pleased that Barratt Homes is setting a great example here.”

Jacob is working as carpentry apprentice at Barratt Homes’ Kings Chase development in Rom-sey, a selection of homes in the traditional market town. The development boasts excellent commuter links to Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury and Bournemouth and is also right next door to the New Forest National Park.

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