Cementing its position as one of Scotland’s leading employers, Springfield has grown from 206 employees in 2011 to over 500 staff employed today.

Chief executive of Springfield Properties, Innes Smith, said: “Reaching 500 employees is a key milestone for the company. Springfield is poised to play a significant part in the delivery of the many new private and affordable homes needed across Scotland. The company has grown over the years and growth means we will take on more employees right across the business from accounts trainees to experienced tradesmen”.

Bricklayer Gary Robertson, apprentice bricklayer Ben Milton and apprentice bricklayer Cameron Armstrong all joined Springfield just as numbers were reaching 500. Employed at the Knockomie Braes development in Forres Gary who brings over 30 years of experience in the trade works alongside 16-year-old Ben.

As well as recruiting in the wider jobs market Springfield works with its partners to create employment opportunities for apprentices. Cameron, 17 years old, joined Springfield as an apprentice bricklayer through the Wheatly Pledge – a scheme introduced to give career opportunities to Wheatly Group tenants.

Springfield teamed up with the Wheatly Group in 2012 to deliver 202 affordable homes in Muirhouse, Edinburgh. Cameron lives in one of these Wheatly Group homes and benefits from the scheme.

Since the start of the year, Springfield has recruited nine office based employees in Larbert and Elgin in positions ranging from IT Systems Administrator to Commercial Manager.

Mr Smith continued: “A happy workforce is fundamental to a successful business. All our employees are encouraged to take new opportunities to help them grow.

“An apprenticeship applies the theory learned in the classroom within a working environment. They can put the skills they have learnt into practise while picking up hints and tips from experienced tradesmen.

“Apprenticeships are helping to address the current construction industry skill shortage. Our apprentices all work on building our houses every day – they all have the opportunity of a promising future with Springfield as they become skilled in their trade.”

Following its AIM listing last October, the award-winning housebuilder of private and affordable homes, continues to recruit across Scotland as the company expands. On top of the current 28 active developments, with many more in the pipeline, Springfield has been progressing the delivery of new villages across Scotland.

One of these new villages, Bertha Park, a 3,000-home community planned for the outskirts of Perth, broke ground in August 2017. It will include private and affordable housing as well as schools, shops, restaurants and health facilities. In total, the housebuilder currently operates 28 active sites with many more in the pipeline.

On top of its 518 employees and over 1,500 subcontractors, Springfield currently supports 113 staff in further education, training and apprenticeships. This includes 48 construction apprentices, 13 technical apprentices, 35 employees in modern apprenticeships and 17 employees undertaking higher education through training centres that work with Skills Development Scotland.