The bold move bucks the national trend which has seen apprentice numbers fall 52% across construction since 2008.

Seddon’s advanced apprenticeship programme has now trained more than 2,000 people since it was launched 70 years ago and apprentices make-up 10% of the firm’s workforce.

Seddon education and training executive Roy Cavanagh said: “A commitment to training is fundamental to Seddon.

“Through training, we are able to provide individuals with potentially life-changing opportunities, build the talented workforce that enables our business to continue to succeed and help secure the future of the industry as a whole.”

Seddon has a retention rate of over 90 per cent for its apprentices, with more than 95 per cent qualifying to NVQ Level 3.

The company trains apprentices in disciplines including bricklaying, joinery, plumbing, painting and decorating, plastering and tiling through its own training centre of excellence and colleges across the UK.