A PLEA for more trainee surveyors to plug a skills shortage has been made by a regional house builder.

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West is calling on students interested in the construction sector to consider a career in surveying which it says plays a vital part in the housebuilding cycle.

The company, which includes Barratt and David Wilson Homes, has highlighted the rapid career progression available to newly qualified quantity surveyors. It cites the promotion of former apprentices Tim Corcoran and Harry Pickles who recently progressed to quantity surveyor and assistant quantity surveyor positions in its commercial division.

Martin Purdy, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West commercial director, said: “Within our commercial division, quantity surveying is a much needed skill that plays a vital role in the housebuilding process. Our team of quantity surveyors are involved from the inception of a build, all the way through to post-completion, and it’s a valued profession within our industry.

“The Government is suggesting we need to build 200,000 homes a year to provide enough housing for the population, but this will never be delivered without investment in the construction talent of the future, which is why we place such emphasis on this.

“We always look to develop staff and a number of our surveyors, including Tim and Harry, have progressed within our organisation from school leavers, through to the surveying roles they’re in today.”

Construction students from Bradford College visited Barratt Homes’ St Andrew’s View development in Morley to gain hands on experience.

Fifteen 16-19 year-old brickwork and plastering students visited the site to see the practical application of their diploma courses.

The students have been specifically selected for the CE:BE Brickwork and Plastering programme.

Mark Oates, Barratt Homes Yorkshire West contracts manager, said:“We have strong relationships with local colleges and universities and are committed to continuing the students’ learning on site and attracting the very best talent to a career with Barratt Homes.”

The CE:BE business and education partnership, funded by Bradford Council, is a joint initiative between Bradford College, Carlton Bolling College, Tong High School and Grange Technical College.

Stephen Seymour, CE:BE project lead, said: “For the construction industry to thrive, we need skilled professionals who can support us in building top quality homes.The programme gives young people studying construction based qualifications a unique opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into a practical working context.”