Hopkins Homes has announced the first appointees to its Trainee Site Manager scheme.
Hopkins Homes has appointed the first four recruits to its innovative Trainee Assistant Site Manager Programme. The in-house programme will give individuals the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with top industry professionals, whilst also achieving an accredited qualification.
Candidates were offered opportunities on sites throughout East Anglia on the 30-month paid programme. The successful candidates will receive training in managing multimillion-pound developments and work through a series of formal qualifications including a management NVQ. Trainees will also have access to NHBC toolbox courses and other essential site operations training.
The first intake includes two former members of the military, Melvyn Gilmour and Evans Osifo-Doe and two former site labourers Chris Smith and Elgas Statkauskis.
The programme is being run for Hopkins Homes by Shane Vinyard, its Head of Quality Assurance and himself ex-military. Shane said: “We had a huge amount of interest in the programme – from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experience.
“It can be difficult for someone to step back from earning a wage to complete more training, this programme gives them a fantastic opportunity to learn whilst earning a competitive salary and setting themselves up for a long-term career in site management.
“This will be an ongoing programme which we’ve designed in line with the Home Building Skills Partnership Skills Framework. We will also be working closely with Women into Construction and other industry bodies to ensure it meets the needs of future participants and creates assistant site managers with the correct skill set to suit Hopkins Homes’ exacting standards.”
The new recruits are already getting to grips with the formal qualifications and have also started their practical experience at Hopkins Homes developments.
Former Royal Marine Commando Melvin Gilmour said: “I did a gas engineers course but wanted something more about working with others. When I heard about the Hopkins Homes course I jumped at it. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
“What Hopkins Homes is doing is incredible, hopefully other employers will follow their lead.”
Elgas Statkauskis added: “I’ve worked on construction sites for a while and have always been keen to advance my skill set and career. I’m really excited about the opportunities this programme will give me to do just that.”
Michael Cox, Managing Director of Hopkins Homes said: “Hopkins Homes takes pride in supporting our employees. We have a strong history of promoting within all levels including progression to site manager, contracts manager, senior contracts manager and Production Director so we are very excited to watch these new recruits as they progress through their careers.”
The first 18 months of the programme will see the trainees learn a range of essential skills including safety training and management in addition to the completion of the NVQ. During the next phase, trainees will conduct workplace evaluations with site managers and contract managers and put their training into practice. At the end of the programme, successful candidates will be placed on an active list for the next assistant site managers post.
