Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, which includes both the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, is celebrating Armed Forces Day, 30th June, by sharing the success of previous recruits through the Armed Forces scheme.
Barratt Developments is keen to support the UK’s armed forces and those who are eager to start a career in housebuilding. There are many transferable skills these recruits possess such as team leadership, project management and organisation, which are ideal to bring to the construction industry.
A recent ex-Armed Forces recruit, Gary Tate, who has become a Trainee Assistant Site Manager at the Barley Fields development through Barratt Developments’ scheme, shares his experience of the programme, which now sees him managing one of the housebuilder’s busiest sites.
“After leaving the military where I worked as a Combat Engineer in the Army, I joined the construction industry as a bricklayer. However, as soon as I saw this opportunity with Barratt Homes, I was keen to snap it up and pursue my career with an award-winning housebuilder.
“Just two months into my new role as Trainee Assistant Site Manager, I have already been given a lot of responsibility and I’m thrilled to be progressing my career in the right direction. As a very active role, I work with the Site Manager to ensure that construction is of high quality, within timescales and completed safely. I also get the opportunity to work with a wide variety of teams, including sales, sub-contractors and trades.
“For anyone making the transition from the Armed Forces into construction, my key piece of advice would be to show enthusiasm in every aspect of your work, and try to gain as much knowledge as possible.”
Barratt Developments’ Armed Forces recruitment programme launched in 2016, after identifying that many ex-forces personnel possess the skills and expertise that are in high demand within the housebuilding industry. The programme teaches essential construction skills, people management and self-development, building on applicants’ existing skills gained during careers in the Army, Navy or RAF. During the 12-month programme, recruits will be working across a number of areas, including supporting the Site Manager in coordinating trades, labour and materials to meet production deadlines.
Paul Newman, Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said: “We’re very proud of the fantastic work our Armed Forces do and are pleased to be able to help ex-service men and women in any way we can. This Armed Forces Day, we’re proud to share the success of our talented workers, such as Gary, and we’re delighted to have four Assistant Site Managers across the region who are ex-Armed Forces. We look forward to welcoming a new intake of recruits, who will play a vital role in building high-quality homes across the region in 2019.”
To find out more about Barratt Developments please visit: www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk
