Springfield Properties breaks 500 employee landmark

Growing housebuilder Springfield Properties has broken a staffing landmark with over 500 employees now on its books, cementing its reputation as one of Scotland’s biggest housebuilders as it works on 28 sites across the country and with many more in the pipeline.

“Reaching 500 employees is a key milestone for the company,” says the company’s chief executive, Innes Smith: “Springfield is poised to play a significant part in the delivery of the many new private and affordable homes needed across Scotland. The company has grown over the years and growth means we will take on more employees right across the business from accounts trainees to experienced tradesmen.”

From 206 employees in 2011, the company now has 518 on the payroll, along with over 1,500 subcontractors. Springfield currently supports 113 of its staff in further education, training and apprenticeships across a range of disciplines. Seventeen employees are undertaking higher education through training centres that work with Skills Development Scotland along with 48 construction apprentices, 13 technical apprentices and 35 employees in modern apprenticeships.

Smith continues: “A happy workforce is fundamental to a successful business. All our employees are encouraged to take new opportunities to help them grow. An apprenticeship applies the theory learned in the classroom within a working environment. They can put the skills they have learnt into practice while picking up hints and tips from experienced tradesmen. Apprenticeships are helping to address the current construction industry skill shortage. Our apprentices all work on building our houses every day – they all have the opportunity of a promising future with Springfield as they become skilled in their trade.”

Among the more recent recruits to the team are nine office-based employees, in roles such as IT systems administrator to commercial manager, and on-site bricklayers ranging from a 16-year-old apprentice in his first job to a man with 30 years’ experience in the trade. Springfield has also worked with partners to provide job opportunities: 17-year-old Cameron Armstrong has joined on a bricklaying apprenticeship through the Wheatly Pledge, a scheme introduced to give career opportunities to people who, like Cameron, live in properties owned and managed by the Wheatly Group.