Taylor Wimpey highlights importance of apprenticeships
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Taylor Wimpey is marking National Apprenticeship Week, Monday 3 to Friday 7 March, by emphasising the need to address an industry skills shortage through investment in the next generation of home-builders.
Taylor Wimpey plc is pleased to support the initiative, and introduced a new site management apprenticeship scheme last year. So far, six new apprentices have been recruited by Taylor Wimpey for this new scheme and the company aims to attract around 100 new recruits to the scheme by the end of 2015.
Additionally in 2013, Taylor Wimpey’s trade apprenticeship scheme saw 49 young people recruited to the business – up 44% from the 34 who joined in 2012 – while 23 new management trainees were also employed – up 76% from 13 in 2012. In addition, 11 individuals also joined the graduate programme which has now been running for 11 years.
Maria Pilfold, Human Resources Director at Taylor Wimpey, said: “It’s vitally important that all businesses recognise the need to invest in their future success.
“There is currently a shortage of skills across our industry and we must nurture the next generation of homebuilders to ensure that we have the right skills to keep delivering much-needed homes in the years to come.”
At Taylor Wimpey’s forthcoming Chobham Manor development alone – located at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London – 24 new apprenticeships are set to be created during six years of construction.
Meanwhile, the developer is sponsoring the construction course at the newly-established Buckinghamshire University Technical College in Aylesbury, a further show of support for the homebuilders of the future.
One of Taylor Wimpey’s apprenticeship success stories is Site Manager Daren Clark, who earlier this year was named one of just five Supreme Winners in the National House-Building Council’s Pride in the Job Quality Awards.
Daren, 44, said: “What I have achieved is testament to the importance of apprentices to any business.
“I started out in this trade as a 16-year-old and the support and training I received have enabled me to progress. Hopefully I can now pass on my knowledge and experience to others as we continue to encourage youngsters to make their own way in the trade.”
Further information about National Apprenticeship Week is available by visiting the website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Details about apprenticeship and other career opportunities within Taylor Wimpey are available at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/careers.