Barratt Developments North East, which includes both the Barratt and David Wilson Homes brands, has commenced its search for the next stars of the construction industry with the launch of its apprenticeship programme for 2017, which coincides with National Apprenticeship Week.
This year marks the 10th annual National Apprenticeship Week, falling from the 6th-10th March, with Barratt Developments having taken on 46 apprentices over the past 10 years.
In 2017, the leading housebulder will take on six new apprentices as part of it’s ‘Future Talent’ Programmes, further demonstrating Barratt’s commitment to developing industry talent. Since the beginning of its scheme, Barratt has taken on apprentices in a range of disciplines ranging from bricklaying, joining, commercial, technical and buying.
The launch of the 2017 scheme strengthens Barratt’s reputation for excellent staff progression, with a number of departments in the company boasting senior team members that have risen from entry level positions. Barratt Developments North East’s Commercial Director, Ryan Lincoln, has been with the business for 17 years and started out himself as a trainee quantity surveyor. Having first hand experience of the apprenticeship scheme, Ryan understands the importance of encouraging young people to work in construction as part of meeting the Government’s pledge to boost the housebuilding industry and build more homes.
Ryan has worked his way up through the ranks taking on a number of different roles including senior quantity surveyor and commercial manager, which has meant he has a breadth of experience that he can bring to his current role.
Ryan commented: “We’re extremely proud of our apprenticeship scheme and the talented team members that have passed through it and stayed with the company over the years. It is brilliant we have taken on a total of 46 apprentices over the last 10 years, helping all of these people with their first step into their career in housebuilding. There is much discussion about the lack of skills within the industry – we’re currently seeing a shortage of brick layers across the North East. More definitely needs to be done to tackle this, but we feel we’re playing a small yet vital part in addressing this gap and setting up our staff for years of success.
“Barratt Homes is a big supporter of moulding its staff and providing plenty of training. I followed this route and have been here 17 years now. The company has looked after me well hence the reason why I have never considered working anywhere else. I’d advise any young person considering an apprenticeship in the construction industry to really consider the opportunities on offer.”
Following in the footsteps of Ryan Lincoln, Ryan Dawson, 17, started his career with Barratt a year and a half ago and is now a trainee quantity surveyor. Giving his advice to other school leavers, Ryan said: “Apply for a company that is willing to put you through the correct qualifications, such as Barratt Developments. You are learning your specific job role on a day to day basis and are gaining qualifications at the same time during the apprenticeship, so it’s a hugely rewarding job. By the time you have gained all of the correct qualifications, you will have a great depth of knowledge within the sector, combined with practical experience within the job role.”
Barratt Developments’ Apprenticeship Programme has been recognised by industry bodies as the best of its kind in recent years including the CITB Apprenticeship Awards, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, and National Apprenticeship Service’s BT Macro Employer of the Year Award.
National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on 6th March 2017, was set up by the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
