Three aspiring tradespeople have taken the first step in their careers after securing Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeships with Newcastle-based contractor, True North Construction.
David Lancaster, 19, and Jay Burdis, 19, both from Newcastle, have joined the company while studying at Northumberland College and Tyne Metropolitan College, respectively, with both courses set to finish in July 2027.
They join fellow apprentice Georgia Clayton, 18, from Throckley, who recently began studying at Newcastle College.
All three apprentices are working towards their qualifications, combining four days a week of practical experience on site with True North Construction with one day of theory-based learning at their respective colleges. The programme is designed to give apprentices hands-on experience across a wide range of projects from high-end residential developments to commercial fit-outs, helping them build a broad skillset for future careers in construction.
The company places strong emphasis on developing its workforce and addressing the construction sector’s skills gap. Over the past year, it has secured more than £60,000 in CITB funding to support training and development, achieved 91 per cent staff retention since it started in 2019 and promoted 42 per cent of employees internally into supervisory and management roles.
David Lancaster, said: “I’ve always been interested in working in construction and joinery really appealed to me because you can see the results of what you build. Being able to learn on-site while studying at college is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to developing my skills and gaining as much experience as possible.”
Jay Burdis, said: “I wanted an apprenticeship that would challenge me and teach me real-world skills. I’m excited to work on high-quality projects and learn from experienced tradespeople. It’s one thing to study in a classroom but being part of a team that actually creates these buildings is really motivating.”
Founded in 2019, True North Construction is a rapidly growing SME principal contractor undertaking high-quality projects across healthcare, hospitality, childcare and commercial sectors as well as bespoke residential developments. The company specialises in high-end refurbishments and sustainable new-build schemes, including certified Passivhaus homes. The North East’s first specialist in certified Passivhaus construction, True North was recognised in 2025 when one of its projects won Residential Project of the Year at the Constructing Excellence North East Awards.
True North Construction has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with turnover increasing by 60 per cent year-on-year. The company achieved growth of 70 per cent in 2025/26, representing an overall increase of around 225 per cent over three financial years.
Tayler Mitchell, operations director at True North Construction, said: “Investing in apprenticeships is an important part of how we grow our business while supporting the future of the construction industry.
“David, Jay and Georgia are all enthusiastic and eager to learn and apprenticeships give them the opportunity to develop practical skills while working on real projects. After such a strong period of growth for the company, it’s fantastic to be able to bring a new wave of talent into the business and help the next generation of tradespeople build their careers.”