The Barratt Academy – Barratt Homes’ apprenticeship programme – is a four year course which combines education and paid employment to build participants’ skills, knowledge and career prospects. Over the past five years, 70 apprentices have benefitted from the Barratt Academy in Scotland.

According to statistics from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Scotland’s construction industry needs 2,500 apprentices in the coming year to meet the demands of this growing sector.

Speaking during Scottish Apprenticeship Week (18-22 May), Douglas McLeod, regional director of Barratt Homes Scotland, said: “The building and construction sector offers a wide range of career opportunities.

“As the UK and Scotland’s leading house builder, we are committed to investing in Scotland’s young people to ensure that we’ve got the right skills in place to meet Scotland’s continually increasing demand for homes. That’s why we have placed such great importance on developing our award-winning apprenticeship programme.”

Gary Owens, 20, from Coatbridge, is an apprentice joiner in his first year at the Barratt Academy.

He said: “I always wanted an apprenticeship so that I could work my way into a secure career and learn the skills for the job as I go along. Joinery in particular is perfect for me because I enjoy making things and seeing the finished product.

“Barratt offers a lot of valuable support through the academy. Already, the firm has helped me to earn my Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card, and has supplied me with a substantial range of tools that will be invaluable throughout my course.

“The apprenticeship is four years long in total, and throughout that time I’ll also be attending South Lanarkshire College to supplement the practical side of things with classroom-based learning. When the course is complete I’ll be a qualified joiner, and further down the line I’d like to progress to management by training to become an assistant site manager.”