Linden Homes has employed its 100th apprentice ahead of the launch of the national Linden Homes Apprenticeship Academy which is set to open early next year.
The initiative, which has been initially running in the south west, has hit the three-figure mark with 23-three-year-old apprentice Daniel Vinnicombe, from Western Counties Roofing in Newton Abbot, Devon.
Housebuilder of the Year Linden Homes is offering the training opportunity to all its subcontractors in the region in partnership with Ofsted Outstanding training provider Skills Group.
It’s all part of a wider strategy to open up training to young people across the country through the academy, which will host a residential training centre for directly employed trainees, as well as those working for the company’s supply chain.
Apprentices receive industry-recognised qualifications on completion of their training in their chosen trade, including: roofing; floor laying; carpentry and joinery; bricklaying; tiling and plastering painting and decorating.
The programme provides learners with the skills, knowledge, technical capabilities and ongoing support they need to achieve. Skills Group will provide all the off-site training at the academy with their highly experienced and dedicated team of Assessors. As part of the scheme subcontractors will receive on-going support, as well as being provided with dedicated training advisors.
Daniel, who lives in Torquay and is learning roofing skills, said: “I was looking for a steady job, as before this I was just doing bits and bobs. I wouldn’t want to stay like that – I want to be able to do my own projects.
“I would tell other people in my position that an apprenticeship is a really good thing. You’re better off getting some training and pushing yourself a bit more than staying as a labourer. Without qualifications you’re not going to make any money.”
The Linden Homes Apprenticeship Academy is set to help ensure the housebuilding sector has the right people and skills to deliver the much needed housing the UK needs, as well as providing long-term and sustainable career opportunities for young people.
Group managing director Ian Baker explained: “I’m delighted for us to have reached our 100th apprentice in the south-west and even more pleased for Daniel to be getting the opportunity to pick up new skills and show his potential.
“As a nation we’re suffering a skills shortage in the construction sector and it’s only by engaging with young workers that we’re going to fill this gap.
“Our apprenticeship scheme is a huge success and I’m looking forward to these excellent results being mirrored around the country when our national initiative takes off next year.”
The government is currently offering a grant of £1,500 to all new employers who employ an apprentice as an additional incentive to kick-start training opportunities.
Western Counties Roofing director Tony Marsh said: “As a company we are very keen to train people through and see them advance. This is a scheme that was brought to us by Linden Homes that we really wanted to capitalise on.
“One of the hardest things in the industry is getting people who can do the job, so if we can train from within that is a big advantage. There is a skills shortage at the moment that everyone in the sector is suffering.
“We are doing well with a very slow turnover in staff and this kind of training and developing from within is where we see the future for Western Counties Roofing.”
To find out more about the grant and the Linden Homes Apprenticeship Academy, please call the dedicated training team on 0845 319 4343.
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For further information, email Claire Hucker at chucker@skillsgroupuk.com or call 0845 319 4343.
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.
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