Building Apprenticeships

As part of its 25th anniversary year, the construction and development specialists Southdale is aiming to create at least 25 sustainable apprenticeships.

The goal is part of Southdale’s ongoing ethos of creating a wide range of training and educational opportunities at its offices and sites across the North of England.

A wide range of apprenticeships, across a variety of building trades are, and will become available throughout the year. including the North East, with projects based out of Southdale’s Darlington offices.

Southdale already has 10 apprentices among its workforce of 120, with 4 of those having joined the company this year.

Beverley Robinson, Human Resources Director, said: “With the exception of the company founders, Southdale’s board of directors consists entirely of people who have advanced their skills within the business. While we have yet to see an apprentice achieve board level, we believe our desire to develop people within our ranks shows that the sky is the limit for people in our industry.”

Beverley, who herself joined the company as a book keeper in 1991, said: “It is vital that companies such as Southdale get firmly behind apprenticeships, because neglecting this important area risks leaving a skills gap when the construction sector grows again.

Bringing young people into the business, especially when the opportunity arises for them to work within the communities in which they live, is hugely rewarding.”

Paul Moore, who became Southdale’s Managing Director having joined the firm as a purchasing manager in 1994, added: “In years to come, the young talent which is developed now will be at the heart of our workforce, if not leading it. That is why creating apprenticeships, engaging with schools and colleges and developing opportunities for people to learn about and enter the construction industry is at the heart of every project we work upon.”

CVs can be sent to recruitment@southdale.co.uk

Southdale’s Human Resources Director Beverley Robinson with apprentice bricklayer Charles Bennett-Wilkinson, who is working on homes in Peaseway, Newton Aycliffe