The leading North West housebuilder gathered together its latest intake of promising apprentices to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (10th to 16th February 2025). The week is a government-run initiative to bring together business and apprentices showcasing the economic and social boost that apprenticeships give to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Kellen Homes’ group of eight new apprentices who are in their first year of a two-year apprenticeship combining work with learning and attending one day of college at City Skills, Salford City College each week, met at the Kellen Seaford Road site in Salford to celebrate the week and to share their experiences.
The apprentices, all recruited through the Build Salford open event where construction employers, social housing providers and key support agencies can meet young people looking to kick start their career in the construction sector, have joined different teams within Kellen Homes and are loving their new roles.
Three of the group are apprentice bricklayers, three are apprentice joiners, one a painter and decorator, and one is an apprentice site manager.
Abigail, aged 18, who is an apprentice painter and decorator, chose to join the construction industry to help champion the sector for women as well as fulfilling her own career aspirations. She said: “I really enjoy the work and the satisfaction of seeing a finished home that we have decorated but I am also passionate about encouraging women to join the construction industry. There are great jobs and great people, and I think the apprenticeship scheme is an excellent way to learn a trade.”
And Harry, also aged 18, who is an apprentice site manager added: “Apprenticeships allow you to learn while you are getting paid and getting valuable real-life experience. I have been made to feel very much part of the team; I’m learning every day and I am hoping to have a career in site management.”
Kellen Homes’ Construction Director, Tony Clayton, who himself started in the industry as an apprentice, described his pride in the apprentices and said they were an asset to the team. He explained: “The construction industry has been facing a desperate shortage of talent and at the same time is a growing sector, so it makes perfect sense to cultivate our own workforce through apprenticeships and training.
“I am extremely proud of our latest intake of apprenticeships who have joined the team and are able to learn their trades working alongside our skilled Kellen workforce as well as attending college one day a week for classroom learning. They will spend two years working and learning to achieve their Level One apprenticeship which will equip them for the next step in their construction career.”
The eight apprentices are all studying for their Level One Apprenticeships at Kellen Homes in partnership with City Skills, Salford City College.
