The nine apprentices, who are all working on the company’s partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, spent a week bringing the community facility back into use after it has lay dormant for over two years.

Willmott Dixon agreed to help the project and bring the facility to life after seeing first-hand the requirement for such a centre. The Treeton Village Community and Resource Centre will now seek to provide a centre for individuals and groups to meet, learn, gain new skills and, ultimately, enhance the village and its surrounding area.

The apprentices undertook a range of tasks including carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. The team, which also included residents, Rother Valley West Area Assembly members and other bodies active within the community, worked to clear the outside area and re-lay flooring inside the hall. Willmott Dixon’s apprentices and mentors also carried out gas and electrical checks.

Sam Robinson, 17 and an apprentice Joiner who lives in Maltby, said: “Coinciding the start of the project with National Apprentice Week was a great way of us all realising the value apprentices have in the local community as well as within business. I am proud of the way in which we are working together to benefit everyone living locally.”

Michael Pearson, Willmott Dixon’s customer and community partner for the Rotherham branch, said:

“Our apprentices are celebrated year-round and so, starting this project to coincide with National Apprentice Week seemed fitting. We seek to make a difference to the lives of people living locally and the work at Treeton has provided us all with a clear goal. We will continue our work to upgrade the centre and hope that once open, it will provide a great community facility for people to enjoy long into the future.”

Each of Willmott Dixon’s apprentices go through the company’s award-winning Opening Doors scheme. Providing training and development to employees, tenants and other local residents, it also gives local students the opportunity to experience working in the construction and maintenance industry.

Terry Adair, at Treeton Village Community and Resource Centre, said “On behalf of everyone involved at the centre I would like to thank Willmott Dixon for all the help. Without it, we would still be scratching our heads as to how to complete the work and the centre would still be closed – we are so grateful.”