Seddon has welcomed senior representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), including Mayor Richard Parker and local councillor Peter Hughes, to Millennium Community Centre in Wednesbury to meet apprentices and showcase how construction is helping deliver long-term skills opportunities across the region.
The visit brought together local stakeholders, project partners and young people currently training on site, highlighting how employers and public sector organisations can work together to create sustainable career pathways and support economic growth across the West Midlands.
The Mayor met directly with apprentices and trainees working on the project, hearing about their experiences of entering the construction industry and the opportunities created through structured employment and training routes. A guided site tour also demonstrated how local employment, social value initiatives and skills investment are being embedded into delivery from the outset.
The event reflects Seddon’s ongoing collaboration with WMCA to support its ambitions around inclusive growth, workforce development and long-term employment pathways.
With a growing pipeline of work across education, healthcare, housing and public sector projects in the Midlands, the business is continuing to invest in local people while helping address wider industry challenges around skills shortages and workforce resilience.
Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director at Seddon, said: “Construction has a vital role to play in shaping the future of the West Midlands, not just through the buildings we deliver but through the opportunities we create for local people.
“By working closely with the Combined Authority and our partners, we can help ensure that investment in infrastructure and public services translates into meaningful careers, particularly for young people starting out.
“There is huge demand from the next generation to join our industry, but employers need the confidence of stable pipelines and long-term collaboration to continue investing in training. Today is about demonstrating what’s possible when skills and delivery are treated as two sides of the same conversation.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Apprenticeships are critical for building a fairer and stronger West Midlands. And Seddon is an employer which is stepping up to provide the kind of high-quality opportunities that allow local people to not just find a job, but to build a lasting career.
“The construction sector is booming, and I’ve put £75m investment into construction skills to make sure our young people are front of the queue for those high-value jobs.
“Working together with industry, colleges, and councils we’re breaking down barriers for our young people to make sure the region has the workforce it needs to build its own future.”
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell cabinet member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: “Projects like this show how construction can support communities beyond the physical buildings being delivered. Creating opportunities for apprentices and local residents helps strengthen the region’s economy while giving people a clear pathway into skilled employment.”
A central focus of the day was the apprentices and trainees currently working with Seddon, including sustainability placement student Freddie Tranter, trainee quantity surveyor Jack Phillips, trainee site manager Joseph Byngwater and Trailblazer placement participant Aimee Stevenson.
They shared their experiences of entering the industry and discussed the impact of hands-on learning, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
The strong interest in construction careers continues to grow, with Seddon receiving more than 2,500 applications for 23 apprenticeship roles last year alone, underlining the need for sustained investment in skills and workforce development.
Seddon’s Midlands activity focuses on aligning project delivery with employment and training outcomes, ensuring that investment in infrastructure also contributes to social mobility and regional prosperity.
Working alongside supply chain partners, local authorities and education providers, the business aims to create pathways that support progression from entry-level roles through to future leadership positions within the industry.
