Five new apprentices are starting to learn their trades on site after joining the team at William Davis Homes.

The Loughborough-based housebuilder has been welcoming a new intake of apprentices annually since the 1970s and has just taken on a scaffolder, two bricklayers, a joiner and an electrician to join its team.

The new additions, all from Leicestershire, bring the number of apprentices currently learning their trade with William Davis to 35.

The new intake includes 19-year-old Joshua Jordan, from Coalville, whose elder brother Jack completed a joinery apprenticeship with William Davis and now mentors new trainees.

Joshua, an electrical installation apprentice, said: “I wanted to become an apprentice because I’ve seen how well Jack has progressed in his career with William Davis, and I would like to be able to have the same opportunities as him.

“Doing an apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience to build on my academic training, and I can earn a salary while learning.”

Bricklaying apprentice George Harriman, 16, from Bagworth, said: “I’m looking forward to learning good techniques and being able to look back at my work proudly.

“I have really enjoyed being on site over the past few weeks, I’ve learned a lot with my mentor already and we have a good laugh.”

Each William Davis apprentice is matched with a mentor – often previous apprentices with the company themselves – to help guide them in their learning and development.

In addition to their time spent on site, they regularly attend college to learn their trades in a classroom environment.

Guy Higgins, managing director of William Davis Homes, said: “The skills shortage in construction is well documented and we’re proud to be playing our part to address this with our apprenticeship programme.

“In an industry where directly-employed tradespeople is a rarity, our business thrives on having its own pool of home-grown talent, and we remain committed to keeping that pipeline of trainees coming through.

“We all look forward to seeing our class of 2025 developing their skills and careers with us in the years ahead.”

The company celebrates the progress of its apprentices with an annual awards event in November, naming one outstanding trainee as its Apprentice of the Year.