Former personal trainer, Wayne Crank, 32, from Wigan, decided on a career change after buying and renovating a property.
After joining our apprenticeship scheme, he is now working towards a Level 3 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, and works alongside our site management team and subcontractors, while gaining valuable experience on a busy new homes development in Leyland.
Wayne, who was named as Wigan and Leigh College’s apprentice of the year last year, said: “During my own renovation project I did a lot of the work myself, which involved a lot of joinery jobs that I had never done before so, after learning and experiencing what was needed to complete the task, I realised I enjoyed it. I picked the Redrow apprenticeship scheme as it not only provided me an opportunity to gain a lot of experience and knowledge but also give me more opportunities and pathways to progress my career even after I was qualified. It will give me an opportunity to branch out to a site manager or another role further down the line if I wanted to.”
Open to anyone over the age of 16, our apprenticeship scheme covers key housebuilding trades, including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and groundworks, as well as administration, commercial, sales, customers services and technical roles within its offices.
Trade apprentices’ time is split between working on site and college-based study that will provide the apprentice with essential industry qualifications, so they can earn while they learn.
“I currently do one day release to Wigan and Leigh College and learn the rest on the job,” said Wayne, who is currently working at our Leyland based Worden Gardens development.
“When I finish my apprenticeship, I plan to stay within joinery and stay working on site. I’m very pleased I made this career move.”
Eddie Lawler, from Moreton, is undertaking a two-year Level 2 joinery apprenticeship and working at The Finches at Hilton Grange development in Halewood.
Eddie, 19, will spend his apprenticeship working alongside our site management team and subcontractors, while gaining valuable experience on a busy new homes development.
“Currently I’m working on site for the next 15 weeks and then I’ll spend two weeks at Stephenson College in Leicester and then back to Halewood,” said Eddie.
“I always wanted to be a joiner, but when I came to leave school, it was during the covid pandemic, so there were fewer jobs and apprenticeships on offer. So, I stayed on and went to sixth form college in Wallasey. I started searching around for apprenticeships and came across Redrow’s scheme. It was everything that I weas looking for, so I applied. Everyday is different on site. Currently I’m working on the first fix of homes, so that includes the roofs, stud walls and staircases. Then I’ll move on to the second fix, which is when the house is mostly finished. I’ll be hanging doors, fixing skirting boards and generally finishing up. After my apprenticeship is finished I’m hoping to move on to my Level 3, which will give me further experience and options for my career.”
The apprentices are all employed by us but supervised and mentored by established subcontractors who teach them their trade.
They also come under the overall supervision of Huw Williams, who has overseen the apprenticeship scheme at our Lancashire division for the past two and a half years.
“We currently have 14 apprentices working with us and will be taking on more this year,” said Huw, who joined us in 2001.
“Redrow’s apprenticeship scheme offers very impressive on the job learning. It is a great way into the construction industry and enables the apprentice to earn while they learn.”
For further information about becoming an apprentice with us and other career opportunities available please visit our website.
