Taylor Wimpey West Scotland is supporting Skills Development Scotland’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week by highlighting just how life-changing an apprenticeship can be for young people – and the wider benefits they provide for the industry.

Running from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017 is aimed at celebrating apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and economy.

Taylor Wimpey, which is building new homes across the west of Scotland, is fully committed to supporting its young apprentices. It is delighted to showcase three of its latest young recruits who have completed their four year trade apprenticeship and become some of the first to secure and complete their first six months of full employment in the west Scotland business.

David McCormick (aged 22) and Ryan Laurie (aged 21) are now working hard and showcasing their joinery skills in the delivery of new homes at Frankfield Loch development in Stepps, whilst Anton Murray (aged 24) is based at Dargavel Village, Bishopton.

David McCormack said the trio of joiners are enjoying their first step onto the career ladder: “Having the opportunity to secure a job and develop my career with Taylor Wimpey is a real highlight for me so far. I’m really ambitious and I want to continue to develop my skills as a joiner and ultimately raise my profile further in the company for future promotion.”

Ryan Laurie added: “I’ve had the opportunity to work on several of Taylor Wimpey West Scotland’s NHBC award-winning sites including Smithstone, Newton Farm, Dargavel Village and Kilmarnock. It’s been really inspiring to work for the site managers at each of these developments, and to learn from some of the best in the industry. It’s given me an insight into the career path that I’d like with Taylor Wimpey, and I’m so proud to have completed my trade apprenticeship with them and be asked to join the company.”

Career progression is also the ambition for Anton Murray: “I’m delighted to have completed my apprenticeship with Taylor Wimpey and taken my first step on the career ladder with the company. I’ve set myself some goals that I’d like to achieve with my joinery trade, and I’m keen to progress into site management and hopefully play my role in shaping how we build new homes in the future.”

Brian Henderson, production director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, added: “David, Ryan and Anton are a real asset to our business. By providing support, mentoring and funding to their apprenticeship training we’ve invested in their future success – and that of the company, our wider industry and the economy as a whole.

“It is important for us to retain the skills they’ve acquired within our business so it’s a really exciting time as they enjoy their first steps on the career ladder and share their ambitions for the next stage of their journey with Taylor Wimpey.

“Our continued investment in our qualified trade apprentices and indeed our trade apprenticeship scheme will help us to nurture the future of the housebuilding industry.”

Taylor Wimpey currently has 29 trade and site management apprentices working for its west of Scotland regional business.