A site manager at a housing development in Perth has welcomed his 16-year-old son to the project.
From Tullibody, Max Murphy has joined his dad, Allan, at Springfield’s Bertha Park Village development on the edge of Perth.
He is one of the 77 apprentices at Springfield studying a trade supported with practical experience on an active construction site.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Max is studying joinery at Forth Valley College, Stirling, alongside his apprenticeship at Bertha Park under his dad’s mentorship. Like all Springfield joinery apprentices, he will work across various aspects of home building – such as the finishing team and the kit erection team during his four years before qualifying.
Max said, “I knew I wanted to learn a trade after finishing school but wasn’t sure which trade would be right for me. Dad was really supportive and encouraged me to look at all my options to find a trade that I would enjoy like bricklaying, taping, or electrical. I’d always enjoyed woodwork though, so joinery seemed like a good fit for me.
“An apprenticeship appealed because there is a good balance of theory and practical elements, and I can earn alongside my qualification. I’m enjoying my days on site and the guys I’m working with are great. I’ve not worked with kits yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Allan has been working with Springfield for five years. He has been site manager at Bertha Park since 2024 and, so far, has overseen the delivery of homes for private sale. He said, “Springfield has always had a proactive approach to training and developing the next generation of construction sector workers. I’ve supported countless apprentices in my time with the company, so when Max expressed an interested in learning a trade, I encouraged him to apply for his apprenticeship with Springfield.
“I’m in a fortunate position to be able to support my son as he starts his career and watch him develop his skills and I’m really proud of what he’s achieved already. He’s only a few weeks in, and already he’s working hard with the teams on site, applying his classroom learning with practical tasks onsite alongside experienced trades in his field.”
