Ipswich construction company celebrates 100th management trainee

Why it matters: Barnes Construction has appointed its 100th management trainee since launching the scheme in 1979, giving young people from Suffolk schools and colleges a route into construction management without going straight to university.

The details: Jake Parker, from Kesgrave High School, and Connor Stewart, from One Sixth Form College, joined Barnes Construction this month as the latest intake on its Management Trainee Programme.

• The Ipswich-headquartered contractor, based at Ransomes Europark, launched the programme in 1979, one year after the company was established.
• To mark the milestone, Barnes brought together its first three management trainees with its newest recruits for a photograph spanning the history of the scheme.
• Chris Bruce joined as the first management trainee in 1979 and went on to become Pre-Contracts Divisional Director, stepping back from the board earlier this year.
• Stephen Rose, the second trainee, is now chief buyer, while Mark Bailey, the third, is a divisional director on the board.
• Trainees combine practical experience across the business with academic study towards a BSc (Hons) degree, with the wider programme covering departments including surveying, estimating, planning, site management and project delivery.

What they're saying: Simon Severwright, Divisional Surveying Director at Barnes Construction and a former management trainee himself, said: "Reaching our 100th management trainee is a proud moment for everyone at Barnes Construction. What makes the milestone even more special is being able to bring together some of the people who started the journey with us nearly five decades ago and those who are just beginning their careers today."

He added: "The programme has been a huge success for the business over many years and has helped us develop talented individuals who have gone on to become managers, senior leaders and directors. Investing in young people has always been part of our culture, and it is something we remain deeply committed to.

"We are delighted to welcome Jake and Connor to the team and look forward to supporting them as they develop their skills, gain experience across the business and build rewarding careers in the construction industry."

For context: Of the 97 trainees recruited in the scheme's history before this year's cohort, around half remain at the company, with many going on to management or senior leadership roles.

The bottom line: Nearly 50 years after taking on its first trainee, Barnes Construction says its Management Trainee Programme remains central to how it builds its future leaders – with Jake and Connor now following a path that has led others all the way to the boardroom.

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