A Coatbridge joiner is hammering home the value of apprenticeships as he learns his trade while helping to construct vital new homes.
Zach Brown is in his final year of a joinery apprenticeship with Barratt Homes, working at the firm’s Dargavel Village development in Renfrewshire where he has contributed to 30 new builds, spending a week completing his specialist tasks in each house.
Now mentoring a younger colleague, he hopes more recruits will be encouraged into the construction industry – as his employer marks the current Scottish apprenticeship week by launching a drive to bring 23 new starters on board across the country.
Zach became an apprentice joiner on leaving school four years ago and learned a wide range of skills during his first three years in the role.
The 20-year-old is now specialising in roughing, which includes both plasterboarding and putting up partitions; and has also completed a year-long course introducing construction management, which he hopes to move into in the future.
He said: “I’ve worked on lots of different house types and every one requires a different approach, so it’s great to help work out the best tools and techniques each time.
“There’s a lot of skill to it, it’s a job for life and working alongside other trades mean you pick up other handy skills too, like plumbing, bricklaying and electrical maintenance.
“I really like being able to get out and do things on site, and there’s a lot of flexibility in the job; and tthe most rewarding part is that I’m making something that’s real and will stand the test of time.”
Nine of the new Barratt apprentices starting in August will be based at developments in the west of Scotland, learning trades including bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, electrical maintenance and plumbing from experienced tradespeople and attending college each week to gain formal qualifications.
Managing director David Scott said: “The construction industry is flourishing and we are committed to help young people progress through the business.
“We are absolutely committed to investing in raw talent, and there’s never been a more important time to provide these kinds of apprenticeship opportunities.
“Many of the apprentices we’ve hired over the years are now in leadership positions responsible for managing and delivering multi-million pound housing developments.”
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