House builder Redrow has pledged to take on a record 100 trade apprentices this year, including 10 across Kent.

Representatives from the firm, which divisional headquarters in Chatham, will be visiting schools and colleges up and down the country to talk to young people about the value of the courses as a route into successful careers in construction.

It is launching the recruitment drive to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, running from Monday to Friday, March 14 to 18.

Karen Jones, HR director for Redrow Homes, said: “We’re building more homes every year, which means we’re able to offer more young people a training role on our building sites, where they will be mentored by experienced professionals and can earn while they work towards an NVQ qualification.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to learn new skills that will last a lifetime - skills that are in high demand in our industry.

“As we look to address the shortfall in the number of new homes being built, we must endeavour to create a skilled workforce to sustain the rate of construction that is needed..." - Karen Jones, Redrow

“As we look to address the shortfall in the number of new homes being built, we must endeavour to create a skilled workforce to sustain the rate of construction that is needed.

“Apprenticeships play a vital role in that as the trainees of today are the site managers and contractors of tomorrow.”

The firm’s trade apprenticeships include plastering, painting and decorating, groundworks and customer care, in addition to carpentry, plumbing, electrics and bricklaying.

Matt Rooney 27, from Ashford, is a site manager at Redrow’s Ratio development in Erith.

He began his career with the company nine years ago as a carpentry apprentice.

He said: “In my final year doing carpentry I started helping more in the office too, and I asked if I could become a trainee site manager as I really enjoyed what I was doing.

“I spent two years as a trainee site manager, one year as assistant site manager and, for the last three years I’ve been working as site manager.

“I started at the bottom and worked my way up but I want to go higher, definitely looking towards being a project manager and contracts manager, if not construction director. I’m aiming high – and the opportunities are there with Redrow.”