A leading housebuilder has been recognised as a Top 100 apprenticeship employer, with one of its apprentices being ranked top in the country.

Persimmon Homes Lancashire is celebrating after the company was recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in the Government’s annual rankings.

And apprentice bricklayer, Carlisle's Daniel Waugh, was named as the nation’s top apprentice in the Persimmon Achiever Awards.

Since joining Persimmon from school the 19-year-old, currently based at the Carleton Meadows development in Penrith, Daniel has attained his Level 2 Bricklaying Standard Apprenticeship, started studying his Level 3 qualification and is now mentoring new apprentices himself.

He said: “Construction is a fantastic industry to work in and I’m really grateful to Persimmon for the training opportunities they have given me.”

Persimmon employs over 650 apprentices and trainees across its 31 regional businesses and apprentices have enjoyed over 55,000 hours of training with the homebuilder through its apprenticeship programme.  

John Roocroft, managing director, Persimmon Homes Lancashire, said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised as one of the country’s leading employers for apprentices.

“Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for people of any age to be earning while learning. I’d encourage anyone interested in our industry to consider starting an apprenticeship.

“From the construction site to regional headquarters, our apprentices make an enormous contribution to Persimmon.”

First launched in 2020, the annual employer rankings are developed by the Department of Education, in partnership with High Fliers Research. 

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers help future apprentices, parents, and careers advisers to identify good apprenticeship opportunities at the country’s leading employers.

Persimmon is committed to providing high-quality skilled employment for all its employees. As well as recently becoming a Living Wage Foundation employer, it is also using its national apprenticeship programme to help diversify the construction workforce.

Finn Kelly, 17, secured a bricklaying apprenticeship at Persimmon’s Buckshaw Village site with support from his tutors at Preston Vocational Centre where he did Level One Construction skills. From the outset, he knew that bricklaying was the trade he wanted to pursue.

To celebrate the company’s 50th birthday, Persimmon has launched Target 50, an initiative that will recruit 50 female apprentices or trainees into frontline construction roles this year.

John Roocroft, managing director, added: “Successful companies reflect the communities they serve. We want to be Britain’s best homebuilder and Target 50 helps ensure we attract the very best and brightest.”