The next generation of builders are taking the first steps in their careers with Bromford.

In support of National Apprenticeship Week, the Gloucestershire-based housing association is showcasing some of its latest apprentices, ahead of opening up applications for its next intake of apprentices to join it in September.

Nineteen-year-old Brooke Evans and 21-year-old Ollie O'Callaghan joined the housing association's in-house construction team last autumn and have spent their first months working at Bromford's development of 85 new affordable homes at Old Gloucester Road in Cheltenham.

At the moment, they are both working full-time on site, before starting their construction site supervisor apprenticeship at the University College of Estate Management in March.

Brooke joined Bromford straight from school, after completing her A Levels in the summer, but had not originally planned a career in the construction industry.

Brooke said: "My parents are in the middle of doing a self-build, and as soon as they started it, I got really interested in everything to do with it and just wanted to learn more about it.

"Building is very much in my family, as one of my grandfathers is a bricklayer and the other one is a plasterer, so it's not something that's a complete unknown to me. As I learned more about it from my parents' build, I realised that this was what I wanted to do and that what I was most interested in was overseeing it all.

"It's been really good so far. I'm really enjoying it, learning a lot and every day is different. I can't wait to see what the finished homes look like and seeing customers move in."

Ollie also made the decision to go down the earn and learn route with an apprenticeship, after he completed his environmental management degree at the University of the West of England.

Ollie said: "I'd been studying my degree for three years and, at the end of it, I realised it wasn't really the direction I wanted to go in.

"I had always been interested in construction and felt that was more along the lines of what I really wanted to do. I'd been looking around for jobs in the industry and saw the apprenticeship with Bromford and it just looked really interesting, so I decided to apply for it and here I am!"

Craig Derrick, Bromford construction manager, said: "We have got four large developments in this part of Gloucestershire, so we knew we could take on some apprentice site managers and there would be plenty for them to get involved in and really learn the job.

"We want to be building more of our own homes over the years ahead. At Bromford, we're committed to bringing in enthusiastic, young people to grow and develop a successful career with us.

"Both Brooke and Ollie have integrated really well into the team and are already demonstrating great potential. We're looking forward to supporting them over the months and years ahead, as they continue to develop their skills and help us build more affordable homes across the region."

While Brooke and Ollie will be starting their studies shortly, assistant site manager Jake Derrick has recently secured his NVQ Level 6 in construction site management, completing the course in just six months.

After leaving school at 16, Jake completed a carpentry apprenticeship with a national housebuilder and then had spent a year self-employed. He learned of an opportunity at Bromford after working as a sub-contractor on one of its building sites.

Jake Derrick said: "I always saw myself in a management role and, as I learned more about it, realised that was definitely the path I wanted to do down. Coming from a carpentry background has been a bit of a challenge, but one I was willing to take on, and I've really enjoyed the last 18 months working at Bromford.

"For anyone considering a career in construction with Bromford, my advice would be to just go for it. It's a great company to work for and colleagues are always willing to support and encourage you if you want to learn something new. There's always that opportunity to learn new skills and develop yourself."

Bromford is a member of the 5% Club and is committed to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on its formal programmes to 5% of its total workforce within the next five years.

Over the past five years it has supported more than 100 apprentices and graduates on its careers programme.

The housing association will be advertising its latest apprenticeship opportunities for 2024 on its website next month.