Mel Stride MP hails Linden Homes’ apprenticeship drive
Ambition: Mel Stride MP with NVQ level 2 apprentices Alex Westmore, Luke Grant and Martin Everard
Central Devon MP Mel Stride caught up with a group of keen apprentices when he visited our South West region’s Abbeyford Rise development in Okehampton.
While touring the site, Mr Stride met the trainee bricklayers to learn more about Linden Homes’ National Apprenticeship Programme.
The MP said: “It was great to meet three young people with such ambition and a real desire to get on and make something of themselves. They’re only just starting out on their careers, but with a trade under their belt, they’ll be well-equipped to succeed in life.
“I think it’s encouraging that employers like Linden Homes are getting involved, providing a structured programme. They know it will pay them to have skilled tradesmen in the future. And of course it’s a real investment in local communities.”
Linden Homes development director Bill Cawse said: “Our apprenticeship scheme has been an overwhelming success so far. In just two years, we’ve recruited over 100 young people in the south-west alone, working in partnership with our sub-contractors. It’s our ambition to have 500 apprentices across the country by 2015.
“We see apprenticeships as key to sustaining and developing skills that will be vital to our industry in the years ahead. Without them, the house building industry will struggle to deliver the new homes we need.”
