Harrogate based apprentice starts to build on his career

AS National Apprenticeship Week gets underway (February 5 – 11) one apprentice in Yorkshire has his foot on the career ladder thanks to Redrow.

Tom Cocker, 19, joined Redrow’s apprenticeship scheme in September 2023, the year-long course sees him working at the homebuilder’s Harrogate-based development Granby Meadows.

As an apprentice bricklayer, Tom will spend his apprenticeship working alongside Redrow’s site management team and subcontractors, gaining valuable experience  on a busy new homes development.

Open to anyone over the age of 16, Redrow’s apprenticeship scheme covers key housebuilding trades, including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and groundworks, as well as administration, commercial and technical roles within its offices.

Trade apprentices’ time is split between working on site and college-based study that will provide the apprentice with essential industry qualifications.

“My apprenticeship is split into blocks. I work 10 weeks on site in Harrogate and then spend two weeks in Tamworth at Redrow’s training hub,” said Tom, who lives in Barnsley.

“When I left school, I went to college in Wakefield and undertook a computer science course. I changed my career choice and decided to look into construction. I started working with a builder and, at the time, one of the team was an apprentice with Redrow, so I knew all about the course. When I heard Redrow were taking on again last September I applied straight away.”

Tom and the other apprentices in Yorkshire come under the overall supervision of Gary Woodhouse, project manager at Redrow Yorkshire, who is involved from the initial process and supports them through their training.

Gary, 61, from Rotherham, is a joiner by trade and has been employed by Redrow for 26 years, working as a customer care manager and then a project manager.

He said: “Redrow’s apprenticeship schemes are a great way to start a career in construction, we currently have seven apprentices working with us here in Yorkshire.

“Each apprenticeship provides on the job experience, working alongside a highly experienced team, and the chance to gain industry recognised qualifications, all while being paid to learn. Our schemes are always very popular and have been the springboard to many successful careers. They are also vital to ensure we maintain a skilled workforce for the future.”

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