At Seddon 10% of the workforce – 200 out of 2,000 – are apprentices. This goes against the industry trend, which has seen the number of 16-19 year olds working in construction falling by 52% since 2008,
Furthermore, Seddon has a retention rate of over 90% for its apprentices, with more than 95% qualifying to NVQ Level 3.
“A commitment to training is fundamental to Seddon. Through training, we are able to provide individuals with potentially life-changing opportunities, build the talented workforce that enables our business to continue to succeed and help secure the future of the industry as a whole,” said Seddon education and training executive Roy Cavanagh, MBE.
The company’s apprentice training programme led to Seddon being named UK Contractors Group employer of the year earlier this year.
Seddon trains apprentices in disciplines including bricklaying, joinery, plumbing, painting and decorating, plastering and tiling through its own training centre of excellence and colleges across the UK.
Helena Shone, training manager for painting and maintenance specialist Seddon Property Services, said: “We work closely with our trainees. Each individual’s training is closely supervised by a training advisor who is always there to provide support, ensure they get the right experience and instruction at college and on site, help them collate their work-based evidence, and get regular technical and health and safety updates from our in-house team.”
Established in 1897, Seddon is currently led by the third and fourth generations of the Seddon family. The Group specialises in building, painting and maintenance, homes for sale and plant and engineering services. It has a turnover in excess of £250m and 30 offices across the country.
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