As research reveals that almost 60% of housebuilders employed apprentices in 2021, Barratt David Wilson Homes opened applications to its industry-leading apprenticeship scheme, which forms part of the housebuilder’s wider commitment to creating career opportunities for the next generation of labourers in Sussex.* Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (7th-13thFebruary), a number of roles will be available at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ Ecclesden Park development in Angmering, Ryebank Gate in Yapton, Chalkers Rise in Peacehaven, Wychwood Park in Haywards Heath and Meadowburne Place in Eastbourne.
A number of paid apprenticeships in carpentry and bricklaying are available as part of Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ dedicated programme, which offers a mix of hands-on training with experienced trade specialists on-site in Angmering, Yapton, Peacehaven, Haywards Heath and Eastbourne, and classroom learning during residential stays at Stephenson’s College in Coalville, Leicestershire. The Level 2 Trade Apprenticeship will take 18 months to complete, and will allow apprentices to develop skills in their chosen construction trade, before putting their newfound knowledge to the test by entering full-time employment in their chosen field.
Carl Bune, Construction Director at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, comments: “As the industry continues to face ongoing labour shortages, we recognise the valuable role that apprentices play in shaping the future of construction, and welcome the next generation of talent to the workforce. The carpentry and bricklaying apprenticeships offer an exciting opportunity to work at some of Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ newest developments, and learn how houses are built quite literally from the ground upwards. Our career opportunities are open to anyone looking to join the industry, from school leavers to individuals seeking a career change.”
Applications to the scheme close on Monday 7thMarch, with successful apprentices expected to join the company in autumn 2022.
Jack Tanner, a recent carpentry apprenticeship graduate, adds: “I had been working in retail for a long time, but I just found it so boring. What I really enjoyed was my hobby of whittling and carving wood, and I really wanted to turn that into my career. While I was in college I learned lots of theory, as well as mastering some of the trickier aspects of carpentry that you can’t really practice easily on site, like doing dovetail joints. I’m so happy to be working in a job that I love, and I plan to continue learning and progressing within carpentry – I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity of taking on the apprenticeship and would certainly recommend it to anyone else who is considering a career change.”
Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is building a number of new homes at Ecclesden Park in Angmering, Ryebank Gate in Yapton, Chalkers Rise in Peacehaven, Wychwood Park in Haywards Heath and Meadowburne Place in Eastbourne.
To find out more about the Early Careers available with Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, visit www.barrattcareers.co.uk.