A HOUSEBUILDER is celebrating the success of its apprenticeship scheme – and has announced a massive jobs boost.

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West – which includes the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands – has taken on six new apprentices.

And the company is planning to create around 745 construction jobs as a result of new sites due to be launched this year.

The firm already has the Vision development in Keighley, Saxon Dene at Silsden and Hewenden Ridge, Cullingworth.

One of the new apprentices, 17-year-old joiner Angel Matthew, from Keighley, will be based at Saxon Dene.

Fellow members of the new cohort will work at various sites in the region.

The recruits are bricklayers Sol Whitehouse and Daniel Ballard, both 17; and joiners Joseph Hughes, 22, Sebastian Clark, 17 and Ada Urbaniak, 19.

As part of the apprenticeship scheme, they will combine onsite work with training at Stephenson College in Leicester.

Darren Johnson, construction director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, welcomed the new apprentices.

And he urged anyone else interested in a career in the construction industry to come forward.

“We are delighted to welcome our new apprentices to the team and to see our apprenticeship scheme once again supporting more local people – and the wider construction industry – after a difficult year,” said Mr Johnson.

“As one of the country’s top housebuilders, we are always committed to developing talent and we are incredibly proud of the opportunities we can provide.

“We are really looking forward to seeing our apprentices’ careers flourish and would encourage anyone interested in working in the construction industry to consider the opportunities available with Barratt Developments Yorkshire West.”

The company says it is preparing to launch four new sites across the region and is seeking bricklaying gangs.

“We are offering the opportunity for career progression and to support the country’s leading home builder during a year of continued success,” added Mr Johnson.

For further information about the job opportunities, call 0113 307 6893.