Newly recruited apprentices kick off careers by revamping Wigan Community Farm

Leading family-owned contractor, Seddon, has recruited 16 new apprenticeships to its workforce. The move increases its apprenticeship numbers to a total of 60 employed across its workforce. Together, apprentices will gain first-hand experience in the construction industry from a contractor who has been trading for 127 years.

During the immersive induction week, they took part in a two-day community project. This involved contributing to real-world initiatives in Bolton and Wigan - this year at Greenslate Community Farm in Wigan and Bolton CVS offices. Following the induction, apprentices have now embarked on structured training programs at local colleges and universities, ensuring they receive both practical skills and industry-recognised qualifications.

The intake includes joinery, bricklaying, painting and decorating, plastering, multi-skilled, electrical, plumbing and trainee quantity surveyor roles. Seddon’s comprehensive recruitment process has resulted in almost a third of the successful candidates being women—a significant achievement in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

The 16 recruited apprenticeships were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 1,200 applicants, resulting in the program being 75 times oversubscribed. Additionally, Seddon has facilitated the placement of a further 12 apprentices within its supply chain partners, bringing the total impact to 28 new apprenticeship opportunities.

Olivia Hardy, trainee quantity surveyor comments: “I have really enjoyed my time so far at Seddon, especially the two community days we took part in. We volunteered at a local community farm and helped with painting and decorating at a charity hub. It was incredibly rewarding and really brought us apprentices together as a team. I now see first-hand why Seddon puts such a big emphasis on social value, and I'm excited to get involved in more community projects in the future.”

Nicola Hodkinson, owner of Seddon said: “As the industry grapples with a critical skills shortage, bringing in apprentices is more crucial than ever to bridge the gap. We're proud our 2024 apprentice cohort has chosen to kickstart their careers at Seddon, where individuality is celebrated. I’m especially delighted to see many female applicants this year—a promising sign that women are increasingly making their mark in this industry.”

For more information about Seddon's apprenticeship program and career opportunities, visit: https://seddon.co.uk/join-the-team/apprentices