Elizabeth Gibbs is amongst a record number of Redrow trainees
Leading housebuilder Redrow has revealed a record number of trainees within its workforce – including much budding talent in the Midlands.
A total of 353 trainees are currently employed – almost a fifth more than the previous year.
Trainees work across all areas of the business and, while many undertake construction trade apprenticeships, new recruits also have access to a range of careers including quantity surveying, design, civil engineering, business administration and site management, as well as undergraduate placements and bespoke rotational graduate programmes.
Of the 353 trainees employed across England and Wales – making up 17% of the overall workforce – 30 currently work for Redrow’s Tamworth- based Midlands Division. They comprise two construction graduates, 20 trade apprentices, four trainee site managers and a variety of other office-based trainees.
Elizabeth Gibbs is in her third year as an apprentice painter and decorator, currently based at Hamilton Gardens in Leicester, not far from where she lives.
The 24-year-old discovered her flair for painting and decorating while on a Prince’s Trust scheme and decided to make it her career. Since gaining her apprenticeship she has been a finalist in the Women in Construction Awards and was highly commended at the Youth Build Awards, held at the House of Commons in October last year, which recognise those individuals who have overcome challenging personal circumstances to succeed.
As well as working hard to gain her qualifications in her trade, Elizabeth has spoken about the role of women in what has traditionally been a male-orientated field. She says: “I wanted to show that women can work on site and do jobs which are normally associated with men – and do them well.
“I never saw myself behind a desk or in front of a computer, but I wanted to learn a trade and do something in which I could progress.”
Elizabeth is not alone at Redrow. Almost a quarter – 22% – of Redrow’s trainees are female, which is significantly higher than the 14% average reported by the NHBC, and Elizabeth adds: “I have been given so much support and encouragement by Redrow and one day I would like to own my own company, thanks to the help that I have been given by them.”
Level three carpentry apprentice Thomas Morgan, 22, is based at The Uplands in Shifnal, and attends the City of Wolverhampton College. He recently came first in the over 20s’ category of the West Midlands regional finals of the Institute of Carpenters Craft competition.
In the competition he had to design and make a gallas bracket – something he’d never attempted before.
“I was one point short of making it through to the national competition, but I’d like to try again,” Thomas said.
Thomas says he didn’t know anything about apprenticeships when he left school, but seized the opportunity when a former employer suggested it as a way he could gain more qualifications.
“It’s turned out to be the best option for me as I’ve been earning while learning a new skill,” added Thomas, who relocated from Newport to Wolverhampton to take on the apprenticeship with Redrow and Fisher Carpentry.
Karen Jones, HR Director at Redrow and trustee of the Construction Industry Training Board, says: “Redrow has a strong history of giving young people the skills they need to succeed in the housebuilding industry. Last year we welcomed another record intake of new trainees who will have the best possible start to their careers.
“The construction industry faces a looming skills gap that will only be exacerbated by Brexit. Housebuilders like us are investing in the next generation of construction industry talent, in the Midlands and the rest of the UK.”
John Tutte, CEO at Redrow, currently chairs the Home Building Skills Partnership and has ensured that skills training is a key focus for the company.
Redrow also encourages its trainees to get involved with community projects which allow them to develop skills such as communication, leadership and problem solving, alongside their on-the-job experience, and ensures a rounded learning and development.
* For more information about a career with Redrow, go to www.redrowcareers.co.uk.
