Apprenticeships

New apprentices lay foundations with home builder

- 30 Sep 16

A group of new apprentices have started work across the South West, as a national house builder helps to meet the increasing demand for skilled labour in the construction industry by developing talented youngsters from the region.

Bovis Homes has welcomed a total of 27 new apprentices to work on its sites across the country, with over a third based in the region. The company's very first sales apprentices will be based in Devon, with the two recruits working at the regional head office in Exeter for three months before moving to development locations in the county.

Catherine Luxton, Bovis Homes South West Apprenticeship Co-ordinator, said: "Apprenticeships are a great way to gain practical work experience, achieve a nationally recognised qualification, as well as earn a wage.

"We provide support and training to ensure our apprentices get the most out of their time with us and we're looking forward to seeing them flourish in their new roles. An apprenticeship with us provides a great start to a working career and offers plenty of opportunities for committed and talented youngsters. We have got many former apprentices progressing their careers with us currently, as we look to deliver hundreds of new homes across the region every year."

In recent years, Bovis Homes has taken on more than 100 apprentices, both in trade and office-based jobs, across the country. The new recruits are undertaking apprenticeships in bricklaying, carpentry, sales and customer services, and will be learning practical skills out on site or in the office, as well as attending college to further develop their knowledge.

Grace Addisson (17) and Nathan Harris (18), have joined Bovis Homes as the company's first sales apprentices. After their time in the Exeter office, Grace will be working at Bovis Homes' Ottery St Mary location, and Nathan will be based at Cranbrook. As well as learning on the job, they will both be attending PGL Training in Exeter on a regular basis.

Nathan, who attended Exeter College after completing his GCSE's at Okehampton College, said: "I've always had an interest in business, and I felt that an apprenticeship in sales would be a great way to pursue it. Bovis Homes is a good company, giving me the opportunity to learn more about how a business is run, as well as increasing my skills and knowledge about sales. Everyone has been really welcoming and I'm looking forward to the next few years here!"

Lewis Mayes, 16, attended Coombe Dean School in Plymouth and is undertaking a three-year carpentry apprenticeship. He has started working at the Sherford development, near Plymouth. He said: "I enjoy practical work and making things out of wood, so I am keen to do carpentry as a career. It's going to be great seeing the site grow as the years go by, and after it's finished, I'll always be able to say: 'I did that'."