Apprentices gain experience on Sunderland's Riverside housing development on the banks of the Wear

As new homes on the banks of the Wear start to take shape, it’s provided some invaluable hands-on experience for joinery apprentices.

Riverside, which is comprised of four new housing communities on either side of the Wear, as well as offices, leisure facilities and workplaces, is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects.

At the homes being built on the former Vaux site three apprentices with Cramlington-based, building contractor, Compass Developments have been learning the skill of joinery.

The joinery apprentices have shadowed senior colleagues at Vaux where Compass Developments was appointed by igloo Regeneration to deliver 34 homes.

The project is funded through the Housing Growth Partnership, and a Research and Development grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the delivery of the development.

Construction on the new homes, including 16 sustainable properties is progressing at pace and is scheduled for completion in August 2027.

Scott Anderson, who has been with the company for 11 years commenced his journey at Compass Developments as a labourer and, during this time with the business, has been supported in re-skilling, having recently completed a joinery apprenticeship at Ashington College.

18-year-old, James Anderson is a first-year joinery apprentice and 22-year-old Cameron Riach is in his final year, both study at Tyne Coast College.

Each has benefited from working on the live site under the supervision of contracts manager, Graham Walton, who has been with the company for 10 years.

Each apprentice was shadowed by senior joiners, Graham Shickle and Michael Irwin.

Compass Developments delivers commercial, industrial and residential schemes across the North East, specialising in projects up to £10 million and providing full lifecycle construction and development support.

Peter Young, managing director at Compass Developments, said: “We want to play our part in developing and retaining the next generation of talented workers, many of whom have been with the business for a number of years.

“By working on a large-scale regeneration project, Scott, James and Cameron gain real life industry experience, all of which accelerates their hands-on problem-solving skills.

“Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Scott has accepted a full-time position at Compass and we look forward to one day watching him pass on his skill set to future apprentices.”