Persimmon sites and jobs boost for West Midlands
The Wolverhampton-based boss of housebuilder Persimmon's West Midlands arm says the business is recruiting more workers every month as it prepares to launch new sites in Dudley, Cannock and Penkridge in the second half of 2015.
The company is one of the region's largest housebuilders and director in charge Tim Brickley said he was delighted with the group's performance in the first half. He said his focus for the second half of 2015 is to deliver further new homes in the region and recruit more local people to join his growing team.
Persimmon's pre-tax profits were £272.8m for the first half with revenue up 11 per cent to £1.33 billion. Legal completions of homes increased seven per cent to 6,855, with an average selling price of £194,378, which was up four per cent.
The company, with its West Midlands office on the Broadlands business park in Wolverhampton, has already opened five new developments in the region this year.
"As we continue to grow, so do our teams. Since January, our headcount across the group has increased by just over 500 to 4,000 people and this doesn't include the thousands of suppliers employed to support our internal teams in delivering new homes," said Mr Brickley.
"Locally, we've recruited more people into our sales, construction and technical teams and we continue to recruit each month. Our ex-military recruitment drive goes from strength to strength and nationally, we have 120 Combat to Construction trainees and a further 42 ex-forces employees who have joined us from the military. We expect to have close to 200 ex-military employees by the end of the year."
Such has been the success of Combat to Construction, Persimmon is extending the programme for bricklayers and joiners to non-military entrants.
Aimed at 'career changers' who want to move to a job offering training, a qualification, security and increased earning potential, 'Up-skill to Construction' will be launched locally in September.
As well as delivering new homes into local communities, the business is also providing funding for small groups and charities through the Persimmon Community Champions programme. Launched in March 2015, the scheme has already donated over £250,000, with local groups able to apply for grants of up to £1,000.
"In the region, we're delighted to have supported 10 local good causes so far," said Tim. "We're now actively looking for further groups, charities and schools to support and would welcome more applications via the Persimmon website."
For jobs information visit www.persimmonjobs.com
