William Davis Homes, Loughborough-based housebuilder, has congratulated the most recent graduates from its award-winning apprentice scheme. The firm is now recruiting for the 2018 apprentice intake, which marks the first time the company is seeking construction groundworks. The graduates of this year are Sam Beaver, Jake Dominy, Jack Harrison, Ryan Hill, Josh King and Liam Moss, who will remain with the HBF 5 star housebuilder to develop their careers. Jake Dominy has enjoyed a successful year, winning five awards: “Starting a construction apprenticeship was the best choice I could’ve made. I’ve learnt a skill for life and gained a professional qualification but have also been encouraged to take up other opportunities such as talking to school leavers , which has helped me develop presentation skills and grow my confidence.” Gary Long, M&E and apprentice manager, has commented on the company’s decision to recruit for the new class: “Our annual apprentice intake typically seeks to employ aspiring bricklayers, carpenter/joiners, plumbers, electricians and maintenance mechanics but we’re now extending our search to include construction groundworks.” “Our college partners now offer a two year Civil Engineering NVQ Level 2 for this trade, which focuses on infrastructure design such as roads and sewers as well as housing foundations, substructures and pavements, so it made sense to expand our scheme and find future construction groundworks,” he added. For 2018, William Davis Homes will be offering up to 13 apprenticeship and technical trainee placements. The closing date for the applications was during National Apprenticeship Week, which took place last week, and the new recruits will start working in August. In addition, they will also be mentored by the graduates of 2018. The award-winning apprentice scheme has been running for over 50 years and the company estimates it had trained almost 500 apprentices in this time. “We’re exceptionally proud of the longevity of our scheme, which has undoubtedly made a significant impact on our business as it’s enabled us to train and retain a directly employed workforce, but also for the careers it has forged, in some cases resulting in more than 30 years’ service and roles within senior management or on the executive board,” said Gary.