Two of the county’s well‑known builders have this month confirmed the intake of 16 new apprentices as part of an annual recruitment drive aimed at bolstering the construction workforce in Moray and the Highlands.
Training on site and in the classroom
Springfield Properties and Tulloch Homes, both part of the Springfield Group, say the recruits will combine classroom study with practical experience on live developments. Trades covered include bricklaying, painting and joinery, with apprentices placed across projects in Moray and neighbouring Highland areas.
The group emphasises that apprentices form a significant part of its workforce. According to the company, more than one in five of their site staff began their careers through an apprenticeship scheme.
Local retention and long‑term benefits
Company officials framed the recruitment as an investment in the future of the region, designed both to tackle local skills shortages and to provide opportunities for people to train and work close to home.
"It is a pivotal time for the Highlands, and the next generation of talent is vital to the long‑term success of our region," said Heather Henderson, HR director of the Springfield Group.
Henderson added that, historically, people from this part of Scotland have often had to relocate in order to train or find employment in construction. The apprenticeship programme is presented as part of the firm’s response to that challenge, providing routes into employment within Moray.
Apprentice profiles and placements
Among the intake is Iain Hunter, a Beauly shinty player who will learn joinery through the University of the Highlands and Islands and will be based on Tulloch Homes’ Conon Green development at Conon Bridge. Hunter said he has been interested in joinery since school and welcomed the chance to train with Tulloch.
- Number recruited: 16 apprentices in 2026 intake
- Trades: Bricklaying, painting, joinery (and related construction skills)
- Locations: Sites across Moray and the Highlands, including Conon Bridge
| Employer | Apprentices | Main trades |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield Properties / Tulloch Homes | 16 | Bricklaying, Painting, Joinery |
For Moray communities, the scheme may help ensure skilled operatives are available for local housebuilding and maintenance, while offering a pathway for school leavers and career‑changers to enter construction without leaving the area.
As development activity and the demand for trades fluctuate, apprenticeships like these are likely to be watched closely by councils, training providers and employers seeking to address workforce gaps across the region.
