A HOUSEBUILDER has encouraged school leavers in Oxfordshire to consider its training programme as an alternative to university.

Linden Homes's branch covering Thames Valley, which is based in Abingdon, has plugged its management trainee scheme as a gateway to the housebuilding industry.

Simon Pendlebury, managing director of the company's Thames Valley operations, said: "For those who have or are just about to receive their results and are not all that sure on their next step, I would encourage them to look at other options out there.

"We have a variety of diverse roles outside of the expected 'normal' construction jobs, including land purchasing, planning, sales and marketing, technical, quantity surveying and customer service."

The scheme is open to anyone with five GCSEs at 4-9 grade, including Maths and English.

BTEC, A Levels and equivalent vocational qualifications are also welcomed. For details see gallifordtry.co.uk/careers.