Building firm apprentices make their mark at key housing project

The trainee joiners at Compass Developments have shadowed senior colleagues at the Vaux neighbourhood at Riverside Sunderland, where the firm was appointed by igloo Regeneration to deliver 34 homes.

The project is funded by the Housing Growth Partnership and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and aims to deliver new homes - including 16 sustainable properties – and is scheduled for completion in August 2027.

Scott Anderson, who has been with Compass Developments for 11 years, started as a labourer and, during this time with the business, has been supported in re-skilling – recently completed a joinery apprenticeship at Ashington

College.

James Anderson, aged 18, is a first-year joinery apprentice and 22-year-old Cameron Riach is in his final year.

Both study at Tyne Coast College.

Each has benefited from working on the site under the supervision of contracts manager, Graham Walton, who has been with the company for 10 years.

Each apprentice was shadowed by senior joiners at the firm – Graham Shickle and Michael Irwin.

Compass Developments delivers commercial, industrial and residential schemes across the North East, specialising in projects up to £10m and providing full lifecycle construction and development support.

Peter Young, managing director at Compass Developments, said: “We want to play our part in developing and retaining the next generation of talented workers, many of whom have been with the business for a number of years.

“By working on a large-scale regeneration project, Scott, James and Cameron gain real life industry experience, all of which accelerates their hands-on problem-solving skills.”

He added: “On completion of his apprenticeship, Scott has accepted a full-time position at Compass and we look forward to one day watching him pass on his skill set to future apprentices.”