With National Apprenticeship Week taking place from 3-7 February 2020, Bellway is highlighting its ongoing commitment to the next generation of talent in the construction industry with its ever-growing apprenticeship programme.
The Liverpool-based North West division of the leading regional housebuilder currently employs 22 apprentices across all areas of the business, both on site and at its office in Hunts Cross, and is committed to taking on more individuals over the next 12 months.
A member of the 5% Club, a movement of employers working to create ‘earn and learn’ skills and training opportunities, Bellway is committed to driving the recruitment of apprentices and currently has 182 individuals (more than 8% of its workforce) in these roles.
In the Merseyside region, it has already helped many individuals successfully proceed into permanent and more senior roles within the business.
Connor Boswarva from Maghull and Rebecca Fleetwood from Halewood have both used the Bellway apprenticeship scheme for a step-up in their careers and are now working together at Bellway’s popular Scotchbarn Rise development in Whiston.
22-year-old Connor successfully completed a four year plumbing apprenticeship at Liverpool Community College and has now secured a full-time position with Bellway as an assistant site manager. His apprenticeship offered a valuable combination of practical experience and on-the-job training that complemented his studies and ensured a smooth transition into a permanent position in the workplace.
He said: “My apprenticeship gave me a great insight into the practical day-to-day running of a construction site and the role of the site manager which particularly interested me as it was so varied. An apprenticeship is a great way to learn and earn at the same time, and I was delighted to move into a permanent role with Bellway as soon as my apprenticeship was complete.”
20-year-old Rebecca Fleetwood is part way through her two year plumbing apprenticeship at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool. One of only a handful of female apprentices, she is currently flying the flag for women in construction working four days each week on site at Scotchbarn Rise and the fifth day studying at college. When her apprenticeship is complete, she hopes to join Bellway as a plumber on a permanent basis.
She said: “I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship, and the Bellway apprenticeship scheme. I have learned so much and it has given me the knowledge and confidence to slot smoothly into any on site team.”
Bellway is also keeping it in the family with some of its apprentices attracted to the company by a parent or sibling. Construction director Ian Hopkins’s son Will Hopkins from Maghull is currently part way though his first year of a plumbing apprenticeship, while senior site manager Paul McKeever’s son Sean is an electrical apprentice.
Even Connor and Rebecca have family connections. Connor‘s 16-year-old brother Kieran is an apprentice plumber and Rebecca’s stepfather is Joe Raynard, Bellway’s assistant site manager at Fern Meadow in Wrexham.
Gareth Barnes, Bellway’s construction learning and development manager commented: “We fully believe in apprenticeships and are pleased to support, encourage, train and inspire the next generation of construction industry professionals through our apprenticeship scheme. It works well for us and our apprentices, enabling us to evaluate and support employees as they pass through the course. Bellway offers apprenticeships across many roles, not just the traditional craft trades and our North West division currently has apprentices in a wide range of roles from degrees in quantity surveying to accounting and site management. Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to have a real job, get hands-on experience with a salary and gain qualifications that employers need.”
One of the UK’s leading residential developers, Bellway is currently building in a number of desirable locations across the North West. From young professionals and first time buyers to growing families and downsizers, Bellway has a beautiful new build home to suit all purchasers and has a 5 Star rating from the House Builders Federation (HBF).
