Bellway named as one of the top employers for apprentices

Bellway has been named in a Government list of England’s best apprentice employers. The Top 100 Apprentice Employers, compiled by the Department for Education in partnership with High Fliers Research, considered a range of factors.

These included the employer’s overall commitment to apprenticeships, creation of apprenticeships, diversity of new apprentices, and the progression of apprentices into further education or training.

Newcastle-based Bellway announced the creation of 57 apprenticeships for 2022 during National Apprenticeship Week in February. The new recruits will soon begin joining teams in divisional offices and on development sites nationwide.

Heidi Khoshtaghaza, group HR director for Bellway, said: “Apprentices are the backbone of the construction industry, and we are honoured to be recognised as an employer continuing to lead the way with our apprenticeship programme.

“Our apprentices will gain a nationally recognised qualification while working alongside one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, acquiring new skills which will help build and improve understanding of the construction industry from the foundations up.

“Bringing apprentices into the industry and equipping them for a career in construction is vital to prevent skills shortages, both now and in the future. This year we have created a greater range of apprenticeships and worked to ensure they are accessible to a diverse range of people.”

Adam Simms was named as Bellway’s Apprentice of the Year for 2022, aged just 19. He is an apprentice assistant site manager at Bellway’s Waterside at Riverwell development in Watford. Adam joined Bellway’s apprenticeship scheme in September 2020 and is nearing the end of his NVQ Level 4 course in construction and site supervision.

He now hopes to start studying towards his Level 6 qualification, continuing to progress his career with Bellway. Adam said: “I really like the Bellway ethos, and I definitely see myself staying here for a long time. I’ve already recommended the apprenticeship scheme to my friends because it has been such a good experience.

“Although I have set tasks to do in my role, I’m also given the flexibility and responsibility to get involved with as many things as I want to. The team let me take on new jobs and trust me to do it to the best of my abilities and are confident that if I need help I will ask for it.”

Heidi added: “The dedication that these young people have for their role is truly inspirational, and at Bellway we do everything that we can to assist them on this journey. Apprentices will be appointed a mentor when they begin their programme and will be enrolled with a college or training provider to deliver the apprenticeship framework, where most will attend sessions one day a week.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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