The North division of St Modwen Homes has taken on its latest group of trainees and apprentices for the housebuilder’s Apprentice & Trainee Site Manager Scheme.
The course is an intensive, four-year development programme, combining job training and learning experiences within all key areas of the business. During their first two years, the new cohorts will work through a series of site management placements and acquire a rounded view of the business through experience in a number of internal departments, such as customer service, commercial, health and safety, sales and technical.
Nick Seddon, construction director for St Modwen Homes North, said: “We have welcomed on board five new apprentices and started them on our newly designed development programme that has been put together to enable them to become our next future managers.
“We are passionate about creating the best site managers and giving them all the guidance and support they need to be able to succeed. As our values state ‘we unlock potential’ and we intend to do what we say by unlocking the talent within each and every one of the new apprentices.”
Billy Golder, 19, a former carpentry and joinery student at Burton and South Derbyshire College, said: “During my time at BSDC I was nominated for the learner of the year, and because of the partnership between St Modwen Homes and the college, I was eligible to interview for the apprenticeship opportunity. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it through on my first attempt, but persevered and was very pleased to succeed on my second try. This is such a great opportunity for me, as I have always wanted to be a site manager as I feel I have the right leadership skills for the role.”
Thomas Brooke, 18, also a former student at Burton and South Derbyshire College, said: “I completed my Level 2 Site Carpentry course at the college, and was very proud to win Learner of the Year. This secured an interview with St Modwen Homes, where I was offered a place on the apprenticeship scheme. At the age of 18, I already feel I have had a lot of experience being on a construction site, and I know this is going to support me in the challenges and experiences ahead.”
Kirsty Murray, 24, one of the two women on the programme, said: “When I left school I was sadly diagnosed with leukaemia, and after receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy for two years I was diagnosed again and had a bone marrow transplant. Following a long process of slowly getting better and battling complications, I rushed to catch up with peers and jumped straight into a job that didn’t really suit me. I made a big decision to have a complete career change a couple of years ago when I began my electrical installation apprenticeship, which led to this fantastic opportunity with St Modwen Homes to train to be a site manager.”
Gemma Batchelor, 25, a current St Modwen Homes employee with a passion for street dance, said: “Being with St Modwen Homes’ customer service team for four years has been a great experience, which helped me learn a lot about the industry. It also made me realise that I wanted to be out on site where all the action happens. I think site management is a great career and I can’t wait to start mine at St Modwen Homes.”
Dylan Stephenson, 18, a former construction student from Wolverhampton, said: “I have always had the aspiration to become a site manager and I felt that St Modwen Homes would give me the right support in order for me to succeed in this sector. I have just completed two years at a construction college in Wolverhampton, so I feel I have the right foundations of knowledge and skills to help me succeed on the apprenticeship scheme.”
Ben Curl, 21, said: “I’d recently completed a three-year electrical apprenticeship and I was seeking my next opportunity to extend my knowledge and skills even further. The programme with St Modwen Homes was the perfect opportunity to get into a role that has opportunity for progression.”
Clare Furness, HR business partner for St Modwen Homes, said: “In 2017, at The World of St Modwen, we pledged to continue our investment in apprentices and trainees and our Apprentice and Trainee Site Manager Scheme is a great example of how we are delivering that people pledge.”
