Local homebuilder, David Wilson Homes, has taken on five new apprentices from Leicestershire.

David Wilson Homes East Midlands, based in Bardon, has taken on Ryan Taylor, Michael Burton, Matthew Allen, Scott Collins and Tom Cartwright to work on developments across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire as the homebuilding sector continues to grow.

Ryan, from Coalville, is studying for an NVQ Level 1 in bricklaying at Stephenson College, in Coalville, after a spell working as a sapper for the Royal Engineers.

He said: “I’m adapting a lot of what I learned in the Army, like using hand tools and making concrete, into commercial, civilian use.

“This job has its own challenges, and I’m working with a good team.”

Michael, from Coalville, is studying for an NVQ Level 2 in joinery at Stephenson College after years of experience in roofing, window fitting, plumbing and other trades. He said: “This feels like a fresh start. I’m putting everything I know into building new homes at a brand new site and David Wilson Homes are offering me a stable future.”

Matthew, 22, from Leicester, is doing his NVQ Level 1 in bricklaying at Leicester College.

He said: “My dad’s a plasterer , so I’ve always been interested in working in construction.

“I’d like to get qualified here, stay on for experience and then maybe open my own business .”

Tom, 20, from Shepshed, who is studying at Stephenson College, said: “David Wilson Homes is a really well known and respected local company so it’s great that I’ve managed to get on board with them.”

Scott, 18, also from Leicester, is studying at Leicester College to be a joiner. He said: “I’d like to work my way up through the company and maybe one day be a site manager and run my own development.”

Each apprentice will work on an assigned development for part of their working week, as well as taking part in classroom-based learning at a local college.

The company has trained more than 100 apprentices in the past 12 years.

Darren Langton, construction director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “You can become an apprentice at any stage of your career, whether you have years of experience under your belt or are looking to make a start after leaving school.

“We employ the finest homebuilders at David Wilson Homes.”

The homebuilder is part of Barratt Developments, which was named the best employer of apprentices in the country at the National Apprentices Award last year.

The national company has created more than 3,000 jobs at its sites across the country in the past year and has pledged to take on 1,100 apprentices, graduates and trainees by 2016.

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