Member Article

Apprentices urged to follow in commercial director’s footsteps

When Damian Seddon started work as a bricklayer at the age of 16 little did he know that 28 years later he would be in a position to launch a major recruitment drive to find new youngsters to join the trade.

Mr Seddon, 44, who lives in Chiswick, joined Persimmon Homes a year ago and joining the company’s Essex region as commercial director, bringing with him many years’ construction experience.

He has enjoyed a successful career since he started out as an apprentice straight from school and says he is thrilled that youngsters in the region are now being given the same opportunity.

He said: “I am recruiting apprentices and I want to hear from people who are ambitious for a successful career in the housing industry.

“We want people to realise that by joining Persimmon they can have the same chances I had and take their career as far as they want to. The sky really is the limit for enthusiastic apprentices.

“We are looking to take on five youngsters this year as the company expands across the region. There is plenty of scope as we are building homes at sites in Aveley, Chelmsford, Colchester, Grays, Rainham, Romford, Saffron Walden, South Ockendon, Bures and Elsenham.

“These young apprentices are the future and we are not just selling them jobs, but a career. They may be a bricklayer now, but we want people who think ‘what’s next?’.

“We encourage people to change direction, and may even sponsor them through university, and help them move further up the company.”

Persimmon Homes Essex is recruiting for apprentice carpenters and bricklayers as well as trainee sales advisors and graduate trainee site managers. The region is also looking for experienced sales advisers, self-employed groundworkers, carpenters, bricklayers, painters and scaffolders and there are also vacancies for experienced telescopic handler operatives.

For more information contact Sara Grainger at sara.grainger@persimmonhomes.com or visit www.persimmonjobs.com/essex.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rosie Farmer .