Four apprentices are enjoying a flying start to their careers after joining Loughborough-based HBF 5-star housebuilder William Davis Homes’ Skylarks development in Chesterfield.
Dominic Heardman, Joshua Ford, Kieran Moulds and Sam Flavell are all busy learning the ropes at Skylarks in Chesterfield, where the award winning developer is building a collection of two to five-bedroom at Dunston Lane.
All four were hired after William Davis Homes entered into an agreement with Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield College to provide apprentice placements in bricklaying, site joinery, and site electrician.
As a result, Dominic and Joshua are training to be joiners, Kieran a bricklayer and Sam an electrician, with all four being mentored on site by apprentice mentors whilst also attending Chesterfield College one day a week to achieve a minimum NVQ Level 2. Gary Long, apprentice manager at William Davis Homes, said: “The work ethic of these lads is brilliant. They feel privileged to be given this opportunity, so they’re putting the effort in, resulting in good quality work.”
Apprentice Joshua says the opportunity has allowed him to achieve a long-held ambition to carve out a career in joinery. He said: “My family have a history of working in construction and so I’d been looking for an opportunity like this for a while and it’s turning out really well. I’m learning loads while getting paid and it’s giving me real workplace experience, which gives me a positive sense of achievement and increased in my self-confidence.”
David Higham, commercial director at Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College Group, said: “The success of the apprenticeship scheme all comes down to developing quality partnerships and this is a superb example. Not only are the apprentices learning vital skills, there is clear career progression laid out for them and a commitment from William Davis Homes to support them long term. It’s not just about giving apprentices a head-start in their careers but about everyone involved working together to help create the workforce for the future.”
The appointment of the four apprentices is part of a Chesterfield-wide ‘Apprentice Town’ initiative, which aims to raise awareness of apprenticeships and generate more opportunities. Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “It’s very important to help young people into employment and we’re really pleased with the way the apprenticeship scheme is working. The apprentices are doing very well and are an excellent example of the benefits everyone can gain from the ‘Apprentice Towns’ initiative.”