Seddon Group has received an overwhelming response to its apprentice recruitment drive with more than 1,400 applications from candidates across the UK.

The Group is celebrating its 75 years of supporting and recruiting construction, maintenance and painting apprentices by taking on 75 apprentices and trainees in 2012.

"The response reflects the campaign's proactive approach to reaching young people with the right qualifications and attitude," said Seddon Construction Director Nicola Hodkinson. "It also demonstrates the sheer numbers of young people out there looking for a start in construction. The colleges are full of people on construction courses with no jobs to go to. In order for more employers to follow our lead, we'd like to see changes to the current funding arrangements which, in our view, are too complex. It would make sense for more funding to go directly to employers who, after all, are the people needed to deliver the vocational experience which colleges can't provide."

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Seddon's recruitment campaign included launching an interactive microsite for applications and holding over 50 careers events in schools and colleges and back-to-work schemes. Demand was so high that the company extended its application deadline for six weeks. The standard of applicants has also been impressive: sixty-five per cent of applicants met the trade entry criteria required by CITB ConstructionSkills and the company plans to interview more than 500 applicants.

Seddon offers apprenticeships in trades including bricklaying, plumbing, plastering, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating and maintenance. Apprentices are guided by an apprentice manager who mentors them throughout their training and supports their college-based learning. On site they are closely supervised by qualified tradespeople.

(CD)