An apprentices from Chelmsford is laying the foundations for his career in the construction industry.

Connor Martin, of Chelmsford, has joined housebuilder Barratt Homes Eastern Counties as apprentices and is developing his trades at Maple Park, Barratt’s development in Stanford-Le-Hope.

Connor’s apprenticeship is in carpentry and he spends one day a week at college and works on site the rest of the week.

16-year-old Connor is studying for his NVQ Level One in Carpentry at Chelmsford College.

He decided to take an apprenticeship because he wanted to gain experience in work.

He said: “I chose to take an apprenticeship so I could gain experience and learn about my trade while also earning money. I think this will put me in a good position for the future and I would like to eventually have my own business.”

A total of five construction apprentices have been taken on by Barratt Homes Eastern Counties this month.

Barratt Developments PLC, parent company to Barratt Homes, has a track record of recruiting young people to the business and was named as the Macro Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014. The company was also recently named a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer. Barratt Developments has created more than 3,000 new jobs in the last year alone and has pledged to take on 1,100 apprentices, graduates and trainees between 2014 and 2016.

Barratt Homes has been awarded the maximum five star official rating from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) for the sixth year in a row. The company was awarded the rating after gaining fantastic feedback in the HBF customer satisfaction survey which involved more than 20,000 new home buyers across the country answering questions about moving into their new homes.

For more information about the apprentice opportunities with Barratt Homes, visit www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk