Linden Helps Health Check South Devon's Students
27 Jun 2012

Full time Construction learners from South Devon College recently visited Rowes Meadow, a new development of homes in Stoke Gabriel, to experience a working development and learn about site safety.

The Foundation Carpenters and Intermediate Bricklaying students are hoping to find full time employment through an apprenticeship in the next academic term. On approaching the developer for a site visit students were given a full site Health Safety and Environmental induction and a briefing on the importance of Health and safety, plus the various initiatives put in place by Linden’s Health and Safety team, including near miss reporting and behavioural safety.

During the site tour, students were shown the various stages of the build programme and had the opportunity to question the site team and find out what about Site Managers responsibilities. The visit culminated in a visit to the show home where they were able to see the finished product.

Senior Section Head for Construction, Apprenticeships and Heritage at South Devon College, Dean Bowden said: Site visits like this one provided by Linden Homes plus work experience are a great way of adding value to our full time learners study. Learners get to experience real working environments which help to reinforce subjects taught on their full time programmes, preparing them for the world of work and enhancing their employability skills.

Linden Homes is among the first major housebuilding firms to take such a step and the target is ultimately to equip thousands of people with the knowledge to find jobs and help tackle the UK’s housing shortage.

Already the homebuilder has trialled the set-up of a new trade skills training academy in the new academic year for the south-west and through subcontractors has successfully recruited 93 apprentices.

Ian Baker, Linden Homes Group Managing Director, which recently won the title of Housebuilder of the Year, rose through the ranks after starting out as a YTS trainee.

He said: “It is crucial for the healthy future of the UK’s building industry, and to create much-needed homes for families, that we nurture and protect our trade skills with full and dedicated investment, and answer the challenge of an ageing workforce.

“Without it, we face a worsening skills gap that is already causing concern among businesses up and down the country, threatening the recovery of the UK’s economy that we all urgently want to see.

“At Linden Homes we know we can’t sit back and expect the situation to solve itself, so that is why we are taking the lead, putting in time and money, and forging partnerships to start to turn this situation around.

To find out more about the Linden Homes Academy click here.

-ENDS-

For further information, contact Anju Sarpal on 07918 907773

References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.

All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.