Persimmon apprenticeships building skills and opening doors to careers in construction
For more than half a century, Persimmon Homes has built more than houses – it has constructed careers, with apprenticeships becoming the foundation for its future workforce.
Since employing apprentices in 1972, the housebuilder has developed generations of tradespeople who are addressing the national skills shortage needed to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency.
Apprenticeships are cutting costs and raising build quality while strengthening diversity and driving social mobility.
More than 80% of Persimmon’s most-recent intake are from Scotland’s 10% most deprived areas and 15% are from under-represented groups, including women, career changers and those for whom English is a second language.
The latest cohort includes a 51-year-old fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a bricklayer, alongside female apprentices smashing stereotypes and gaining national recognition. Four of Persimmon’s six female apprentices faced barriers entering construction yet now act as advocates for construction careers. Persimmon Senior Regional Apprenticeship Manager William Smith said: “Apprenticeships are fundamental to our business and they’re more important than ever. Apprenticeships aren’t about filling roles, they’re life-changing opportunities that build the people who will carry the industry forward.”
The company’s External Affairs Manager, Scott Lamond added: “Scotland has a housing emergency and a massive industry skills shortage. The country needs 25,000 tradespeople – and apprentices are part of the solution.”
Persimmon employs 49 Modern Apprentices across joinery and carpentry, roofing, bricklaying, and painting and decorating within a 600-strong Scottish workforce.
With a 97% completion and retention rate over the last four years, apprentices are offered permanent roles within the business and can quickly progress. Two former apprentices have progressed to Operations Director roles, and 77% of senior managers are internal hires.
Persimmon offers industry-leading pay above the national minimum, provides over £500 worth of tools and supports personal development.
William said: “We see apprentices as individuals, not numbers, and that personal approach delivers real, lasting impact.
“One apprentice in Stirling was so proud of his workmanship that he went on to buy a home he helped build, while a Fife apprentice used her pay progression to take her first holiday abroad. Our confidence in the quality of training is such that the Apprenticeship Manager’s new home in Ayrshire is being built by apprentices.
“This culture of support and opportunity was exemplified by an apprentice who moved to Scotland from the Philippines at the age of 12, overcame language barriers, and was named Apprentice of the Year.”
Persimmon partners with the Construction Industry Training Board and 15 colleges across Scotland. Apprentices combine their studies with four years on site, with up to eight face-to-face reviews a year, twice the industry standard. They learn modern methods including solar panels, heat pumps and ground-source systems, supporting Persimmon’s net zero by 2040 target. Extra support includes a bespoke handbook, mental health training and mentoring.
William said: “Apprentices are at the heart of our business, and senior management regularly ask them for ideas on how we can improve the way we work which are implemented across our group.”
Beyond the site, apprentices shine in competitions and communities. Five represented Persimmon in national skills competitions in 2025 and Chantelle Muir made history as the first woman to reach the podium in the SkillBuild national final for bricklaying, securing second place.
Pursuing personal projects is encouraged and Fife apprentice Casey Gardner was given two weeks’ paid leave to restore a sculpture in her local community.
William said: “Chantelle and Casey are two of our biggest success stories and shining examples of what can be achieved.”
Apprentices contributed 240 hours to community projects, support charities and helped launch an Education Scotland programme to inspire primary pupils to explore construction careers. Many mentor new cohorts, deliver wellbeing sessions and sit on health and safety committees.
Persimmon plans to grow apprentice numbers by 43%, expanding into new areas, developing a custom college course and rolling out customer experience days where apprentices follow the buyer journey from land purchase to aftersales. Everyone will have a personal development plan, supported by an additional Apprenticeship Manager.
Apprenticeships are working for Scotland by creating careers and enabling people to reach their potential, supporting employers to develop and grow their workforce and getting real returns for the economy.
There are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in over 40,000 Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices.
William said: “Apprenticeships offer advantages for everyone – individuals, businesses and the industry at large. Apprenticeships unlock talent and potential and shape the workforce of the future.”
Persimmon Homes is a finalist in the Large Apprentice Employer of the Year category, sponsored by SSEN Transmission, at this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
The awards take place on 26 February as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2 to 6 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards