Why Apprenticeships Matter – for Our Business, Our Industry and Our Communities

Apprenticeships as a foundation for growth

At Hill Group, apprenticeships are far more than a training route. They are central to how we grow our business, strengthen our communities and help future-proof the construction industry.

As a growing housebuilder operating in a sector facing significant skills shortages and an ageing workforce, investing in people is essential. Apprenticeships allow us to build long-term capability in a sustainable and inclusive way, while developing the skills we need to continue delivering high-quality homes.

Developing talent from the ground up

For our business, apprenticeships play a vital role in creating a strong and consistent workforce. Through higher-level apprenticeships within our Management Trainee programme, alongside trade apprenticeships delivered through our supply chain, we develop talent from the ground up.

This approach enables us to embed Hill values early, build consistency across teams and instill pride in the work we do, while also addressing industry-wide skills shortages in a proactive way.

Creating pathways into new and emerging roles

Apprenticeships also create entry routes into new and evolving roles across the business. In 2025, we introduced a Social Value apprenticeship, providing a clear pathway into our social value and community team. We now have three Trainee Social Value & Community Co-ordinators, reflecting both the growing importance of social value within the business and our commitment to developing people internally.

Supporting long-term skills and retention

Our long-term growth depends on having the right skills in the right places at the right time. Apprenticeships give us a structured pipeline of talent aligned to our future needs, reducing reliance on external recruitment and helping us retain knowledge within the business.

Clear progression pathways encourage people to build long and rewarding careers with Hill Group, supporting both business continuity and workforce stability.

Delivering social value through apprenticeships

From a social value perspective, apprenticeships ensure opportunities extend beyond our organisation and into the communities surrounding our developments. They provide local people with meaningful, long-term career opportunities that continue well beyond the lifespan of a single project.

By working closely with schools, colleges, local authorities and community partners, we support Section 106 commitments and reflect the priorities of our clients and partners, ensuring the benefits of development are felt locally.

Fresh thinking and continuous improvement

Apprenticeship pathways add value across a wide range of roles, from site-based trades and technical functions to commercial and business-support teams. Apprentices bring fresh thinking, particularly around digital tools, modern working practices, sustainability and social value.

Learning alongside experienced colleagues allows new ideas to be applied within Hill’s established processes, encouraging innovation and continuous improvement across the business.

Future-proofing the workforce

With an ageing workforce and increasing demand for new homes, apprenticeships are critical to the future of our industry. They support the transfer of knowledge from experienced colleagues to the next generation, reducing skills gaps and building resilience across our teams.

Developing people internally enables us to create a flexible, engaged workforce ready to meet the challenges of a changing sector.

Investing in local talent and collaboration

With the Government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes by 2030, investing in local talent is essential. Apprenticeships support sustainable growth, address skills shortages and align with the expectations of the Procurement Act around social value and workforce development.

By working collaboratively, we are encouraging our supply chain to deliver 7.5% of apprenticeships to help support government targets and nurture a workforce with strong ties to the communities where we build and create lasting opportunities across the industry.

Creating long-term careers, not short-term jobs

Apprenticeships are the foundation for long-term careers in construction and property. By combining hands-on experience with structured learning, recognised qualifications and clear progression routes, apprentices gain the skills our industry urgently needs.

At Hill Group, we work closely with partners such as HBF-accredited colleges and NHBC Skills Hubs, and we encourage our supply chain to work alongside us in developing the next generation of skilled construction professionals.

Early engagement and access to opportunity

Engaging with schools is central to this approach. From primary level through to college, we work to make the breadth of opportunities within construction and property visible to young people, parents and teachers.

Through work experience, mentoring and careers guidance, we help learners make informed choices and start their careers prepared and confident.