A SOMERSET housebuilder said it is looking to recruit eight apprentices in the region as part of National Apprenticeship Week. 

Barratt Homes, which has four developments in Somerset will be celebrating the week from March 6 to March 10 and has opened up positions for bricklayers, assistant site managers and carpenters. 

Russell Glimstead, managing director of Barratt Homes, said: “We want to invite anybody with an interest in construction to consider applying for one of our apprenticeships and help us build our award-winning new homes.

“We’re extremely proud of our apprenticeship scheme and the talented team members that have passed through it and stayed with the company over the years.

“There is often discussion over the lack of skills within the industry, but we feel we’re playing a small but vital part in addressing this gap and setting up our staff for years of success.”

The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is Ladder of Opportunity, focusing on the progression routes of apprenticeships, from traineeships through to higher and degree apprenticeships.

Building on its commitment to secure three million apprenticeship starts by 2020, the government reports 624,000 apprenticeship starts since May 2015.

Barratt Developments’ Apprenticeship Programme sees learners work on an assigned development in the region for part of their working week, as well as taking part in classroom-based learning at a local college.

Andy George, head of talent management at Barratt Developments, said: “We are a big supporter of National Apprenticeship Week.

"Over the past six years we have employed more than 500 apprentices, so they are a big focus for us in our recruitment.

“Our successful apprentices go on to have amazing careers with us and they play an important part in developing our talent of the future. By learning and providing new skills they help us to meet the future challenges of the housebuilding industry.”

National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on March 6 2017, was set up by the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.