Fife Council Leader visits Dunfermline development to celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Persimmon Homes hosted Fife Council at their Woodlea Park development to meet local apprentices building Fife’s new homes

Fife Council Leader Cllr David Ross visited Persimmon North Scotland’s Woodlea Park development in Dunfermline as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, meeting the home builder’s apprentices and senior leadership team.

During their visit, Cllr Ross was welcomed by Persimmon North Scotland Techincal Director Steven Streets and Regional Apprenticeship Manager William Smith. They met several apprentices on site, gaining insight into their training and development.

A highlight of the visit was meeting Casey Gardner, a 19-year-old apprentice painter who is Persimmon’s first apprentice to live, work, and train in Fife, following a partnership between the homebuilder and Fife College. This initiative ensures that young people in the region have access to high-quality training opportunities close to home, supporting both career development and the local economy.

Councillor David Ross, Leader of Fife Council, said “I was delighted to visit the Persimmon development and speak with Casey, Nicky and Jamie, three local apprentices working on the site, as part of Apprenticeship Week.  They all had very different stories but they all obviously valued the chance to undertake an apprenticeship and showed exceptional enthusiasm for their work.

“It is vital that businesses operating in Fife are committed to providing apprenticeships, to help build the skilled workforce we need for the future. It was good to hear about how Persimmon are offering these training opportunities and about their partnership with Fife College.”

Persimmon is one of the largest employers of craft construction apprentices in Scotland, offering industry-leading pay and a strong commitment to skills development. The company’s apprenticeship programme provides young people with the foundation for a successful career in the construction sector, with opportunities in bricklaying, joinery, roofing, and painting and decorating.

James MacKay, Persimmon North Scotland Managing Director, added “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Ross and Councillor Hamilton to our Woodlea Park development and showcase the fantastic work of our apprentices.

“Persimmon is investing in the next generation of skilled workers and Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to highlight the vital role apprentices play in the construction industry. As the largest home builder in Fife, we’re committed to developing the local workforce of the future.”

Persimmon continues to strengthen its partnerships with colleges and training providers, ensuring apprentices across the region receive the best possible start in their careers. The home builder recently announced its fifteenth college partnership in Scotland – making it the largest partner of construction colleges across the country.