Barratt Homes to set up island apprentice scheme

Barratt Homes has forged a new and ongoing partnership with the Isle of Wight College and the Isle of Wight Industrial Group Training Services to recruit island based apprentices.

The homebuilder will train and develop the talents of the apprentices – all of whom have now started NVQ courses at the Newport-based Isle of Wight College - to ensure an Island-based skill-set for the future.

The first group of 10 apprentices - aged 17 to 20 years, from all over the island - are due to start their training at the start of the new term. They will be employed by Barratt with day release in order to attend college one or two days a week, depending on their course.

The Isle of Wight College students are undertaking NVQ’s in different construction trades, including wood, electrical, brick, plumbing, including their technical certificate, and Barratt will train each specifically within their trade.

“It is crucial that students on these courses gain valuable practical experience in their trade,” said Michelle Scott, customer liaison officer at the Isle of Wight College.

“To pass the NVQ course, each student must submit a portfolio of their work experience, so it’s essential that they learn their trade first hand. Apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to understand what it is like to work in these industries.

“The College, working closely with Barratt Homes, initially organised a professional application and interview procedure for the students. Dee Dimmock of Barratt Homes stated that the quality of the candidates put forward by the College from existing full time courses, was second to none.”

Michelle explained that Barratt had set out a step by step recruitment process, giving students an idea of what it was like to apply for employment. Applicants needed a C grade or above in Maths and English and the drive and ambition to work in that specific trade. Each applicant had to research the industry and submit a CV to Barratt. The housebuilder then interviewed 30 potential candidates and from these selected 10.

Dee Dimmock from Barratt Homes said: “There are limited spaces on the scheme and those who were awarded an apprenticeship stood out as they were so eager to know what it’s like to work on a site and how they were keen to get started.

“It is important for the course members to understand that the building industry has high standards and there are some excellent opportunities for candidates with the right abilities, commitment and enthusiasm for the job.

“The students will have a clearer understanding of the technical side to each trade - where numeracy and literacy are very important skills to have,” added Mr Dimmock, who interviewed many of the candidates.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the first 10 students to our sites and with our continued development programme, more apprentices will be taken on in the future.”

Apprenticeships will take up to three years, the time spent on site with Barratt depending on the trade and the duration of the course.

The apprentices will be working on two new Barratt developments, Hawthorn Meadows in Whippingham and Nautiqua in Cowes, as well as future developments on the island.

To find out more, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.