Redrow more than doubles its apprentice recruitment
AFFIRMING its commitment to the training and development of young people, Redrow Homes has increased its intake of apprentices more than two-fold this year.
Redrow will now be giving 45 young apprentices across England and Wales the opportunity to learn new skills including joinery, bricklaying and plumbing. This is more than twice the number it announced it would be recruiting earlier in the year and also a significant increase on last year's intake, meaning by the end of the year, the company will employ over 75 trade apprentices in total.
In another move to expand its training schemes, Redrow will also take on more office-based apprentices, following a successful trial last year. The business is also recruiting a number of technical trainees as part of a new initiative.
The trade apprentice programmes offer a spring board for young people trying to forge their careers at a time when youth unemployment rates remain high.
Karen Jones, HR director for Redrow, says: "There are 950,000 young people out of work in the UK and we want to ensure more of them achieve their potential. At Redrow we believe training holds the key to maintaining a skilled workforce for years to come. We are looking forward to a positive time of growth for our business and are delighted to be able to now offer 45 apprentices the chance to make their mark in the housebuilding industry.
"10% of Redrow's employees are trainees. Many past trainees are now in senior roles, showing just how far you can go with talent and initiative."
Karen added: "Apprenticeships are an attractive alternative to full-time college or university. Our apprentices are paid a salary while they learn a new trade, attend college one day a week and work towards a professional qualification. We have seen many of our former trainees go on to very successful careers in their chosen trades. It is also a great opportunity for many to progress within the company as Redrow believes in promoting from within. We have a number of assistant site managers who began with us as apprentices."
The Redrow apprenticeship programme combines 'on-the-job' paid work and an NVQ completed over three years.
Apprentices are placed with an experienced and trusted sub-contractor, where they can learn the skills required to do their chosen job whilst working on Redrow developments and also going to college one day a week.
Applicants must be registered with the CITB, the construction industry's training board, which can be done at: www.bconstructive.co.uk.
Candidates are asked to take and pass the CITBSkills Learning Exercise (SLE) in order to be considered for an apprenticeship. The SLE tests applicants on their understanding of practical information they are likely to require on a building site, such as measurements and drawings, etc. Shortlisted candidates will then be interviewed with the successful ones commencing their apprenticeship in August 2013.
You can find out more and apply for Redrow's apprentice scheme at: redrow.bblabs.co.uk/apprentices