ONE of the UK’s fastest growing housebuilders is helping young people develop skills for successful careers with around 10% of its staff trainees.

Castle Green Homes revealed the figure to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week (wc February 9).

The business, with offices at St Asaph and Preston Brook, has grown from 100 employees in 2024 to 138 today.

Faye Shackell, people manager at Castle Green, said: “As it’s National Apprenticeship Week, we’re highlighting the incredible contribution our trainees make every day. Currently around 10% of the team are in training roles and many more of our people started their careers as apprentices or trainees, including those now in management roles mentoring a new generation. This demonstrates our commitment to building a business where people can grow, develop, and shape long-term careers.”

The technical team at Castle Green has witnessed a flurry of successful trainees.

Lucy Bradley said: “I joined Castle Green in 2022 as a technical administrator, with no prior experience in housebuilding. In September 2023, I was given the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship as a trainee architectural technician. Throughout the two-year programme, I received incredible support from the design team at Castle Green Homes, who guided and encouraged me every step of the way. I’m now proud to be a fully qualified architectural technician, made possible by Castle Green’s commitment to my development and the ongoing support of the design team, who helped me navigate the challenges of studying while working.”

Alicia Foulkes started out as a receptionist and transferred to the technical team around five years ago. She has completed college courses and is due to complete a civil engineering degree this summer from Liverpool John Moores University.

Amelia Francis has spent time across the technical and land teams, working on active developments and on detailed appraisals and land bids. Currently studying construction management at college, Amelia hopes to progress onto a degree in the next two years.

Finley Hibbert has been working alongside one of Castle Green’s more experienced civil engineers on active developments and has been heavily involved with the adoptions of legacy developments, all while progressing through the early stages of a civil engineering degree.

Supporting a new generation of apprentices and trainees is something close to home for the Castle Green management team.

Now operations director, Richard Williams joined Castle Green as a site manager in 2015. He said: “I commenced my career back in 1989 as an apprentice joiner. I thoroughly enjoyed the practical aspects of the trade; however, I aspired to develop further and explore greater opportunities. I’ve continued to build my skills and experience and now as operations director I’m helping train future talent within the business.”

For more information about Castle Green Homes see http://www.castlegreenhomes.uk.