The team has worked with lecturers at Ayrshire College to create a bespoke training course that will enhance the SQA qualification that each young person is training for, while also ensuring that every apprentice will learn the techniques that are required to deliver high-quality new homes to its customers.

The launch of the Apprenticeship Academy sees a further investment in the number of apprentices that Taylor Wimpey West Scotland will support this year. In 2018, the housebuilder employed 12 new starts, and this year’s first intake into the Apprenticeship Academy consists of 20 apprentices aged 17-27 years old, in a mix of trades that predominately includes bricklayers and joiners, as well as one rough-caster.

In total, with this intake, Taylor Wimpey West Scotland is supporting the training and development of 51 apprentices.

Brian Henderson, production director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, said investing and developing a young and talented workforce who can deliver high-quality work is behind the move.

He added: “Future-proofing our talent pool is very important if we are to continue to deliver the high-quality homes that our customers expect. We have always enjoyed strong links with Ayrshire College through our Direct Labour Programme, and many of our apprentices already attend the college or have done so in the past.

“It was a natural step for us to approach Ayrshire College when we were looking for an educational partner to work with us on setting up our own Apprenticeship Academy.  We’re looking forward to working alongside the lecturers at Ayrshire College to maximise this opportunity for the young people that we attract to join the course.

“We’re fully committed to this project for at least the next five years, and we already have our sights set that our pre-apprentices, who are young people who are spending a year with us to see if the industry and the trade they’ve chosen is for them, could form 50% of next year’s intake.”

Stuart Millar, head of apprenticeships and work based learning at Ayrshire College, said: “Ayrshire College is delighted to be entering this innovative and forward-looking partnership with Taylor Wimpey West Scotland.

“The Apprenticeship Academy is developing from strong relationships, built up over many years, with Taylor Wimpey. It demonstrates the commitment of both organisations to help young people develop the skills required for a successful career in a thriving business.

“Ayrshire College has a vision to raise aspirations, inspire achievement and increase opportunities for all of Ayrshire’s communities and this partnership is undoubtedly a significant milestone in achieving this ambition.”

The students will complete block release for year one and two of their courses, splitting their time between on-site training and college days.  Apprentices who successfully complete a four-year apprenticeship and fully qualify will be guaranteed a full-time position with Taylor Wimpey on one of their sites across the west of Scotland.

All of Taylor Wimpey West Scotland’s apprentices will now go to Ayrshire College, and all travel will be paid for regardless of their designated training development.  This will allow the Production Team at Taylor Wimpey to ensure consistency and high-quality across all learning.