Four young people from Lanarkshire are laying the foundations for a new career in the construction industry with Bellway Homes Limited (Scotland West).

The group has been selected to take part in the company’s apprenticeship programme, gaining valuable hands-on experience while working towards new qualifications.

Zac Lightbody (17) from Hamilton and Marc Carty (17) from Cumbernauld have signed up for a three year apprenticeship in Business and Administration working towards an SVQ Level 4 in Business Administration. They will be based in Bellway’s head office in Hamilton.

Owen O’Neil (17) from Blantyre and Jamie Burton (21) from Wishaw will be doing a four year apprenticeship to become trainee assistant site managers working towards an HNC qualification in their final two years.

They will be trained in a wide variety of disciplines including project management, scaffold appreciation and first aid training and will be given practical training working across the housebuilders 19 sites in Scotland.

Andy Borland, head of construction Bellway Homes Limited (Scotland West), said: “All four candidates are exceptional young people who demonstrated a real passion for a career in construction at their interviews, showing an in-depth knowledge of Bellway as a company and the industry as a whole.

“They are all very driven and are eager to progress in their working lives. Housebuilding is a fantastic industry with a great career path for the right individuals and there will be great opportunities for the trainees to progress – the admin trainees will work alongside all different departments in the business. This could offer the possibility of a career in anything from land buying to accounts, sales and marketing to customer service if the correct attitude and skills are demonstrated.

“Our trainee site managers could work their way right up to the very highest levels on site and even end up as construction directors.”

Andy Wyles, Bellway’s regional managing director for Scotland, added: “Having spent time with these four I can already tell that they will be a real asset to Bellway in Scotland, they are so enthusiastic and it’s clear they share our commitment to building fantastic homes in areas where people love to live.”

Zac said: “It has always been my dream to work in the construction industry and Bellway has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for one of the biggest housebuilders in the UK. I couldn’t be more excited about the future. So many of my friends are taking on big loans to put themselves through university so it means a lot for me to be able to earn while I learn.”