Apprentice trio lay foundations with Banks

A North East housebuilder is laying the foundations for future talent after welcoming its first apprentices as part of plans to develop more staff through its ranks.

County Durham-headquartered Banks Homes has appointed Amy Ward, James Rylance and Kaci Lonsdale following a selection process designed to identify young people looking to build careers in property.

Amy has joined as a commercial trainee at the company’s Meadowfield headquarters, while James is a trainee assistant site manager and Kaci has taken on a trainee sales executive role.

James and Kaci will work across residential developments in the North East and Yorkshire.

Bespoke training programmes have been developed with Northumbria University, New College Durham and Sunderland College, with each apprentice able to work towards formal qualifications, including up to degree level.

Russ Hall, managing director at Banks Property and Banks Homes, said: “Investing in talent identification is a core part of the Banks Group’s longstanding ‘development with care’ approach, and we have trained many apprentices through our 50-year history who have gone on to enjoy very successful careers both with us and elsewhere.

“Our first apprenticeship programme is the latest stage of this process and combines comprehensive on-the-job training with support of both the highly experienced Banks Homes team and outside institutions who’ve been specially chosen for the specialist expertise they can provide for each role.

“We had an overwhelming response to all three positions, with Amy, James and Kaci showing themselves to be outstanding candidates for the roles they’ve now taken up.”

Founded in 2023 as part of the Banks Group, Banks Homes has developments underway in County Durham, the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, with further projects set to begin this year.

The apprenticeship initiative complements the wider group’s graduate recruitment programme, providing hands-on experience alongside vocational, technical and professional development.

Russ added: “We have an ambitious, long-term growth strategy in place and our new apprentices will play a hands-on role in its successful delivery while also developing themselves as both professionals and people.”

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