We’ve launched a bespoke training course to produce site managers of the future.

Working in conjunction with Bridgend College, our West Wales region has welcomed a first in-take of 10 trainee assistant site managers who will take part in a course bespoke to Persimmon.

The programme will ensure they achieve are fully versed in the company’s way of working before achieving a NVQ level 4 qualification and moving into an assistant site manager role.

Paul Curry, Group Training Manager at Persimmon, said: “This is the first Persimmon-bespoke course for site managers and gives our people, including those currently in the trades, the opportunity to progress their careers. It is also open to people from outside the industry who want to change career direction.

“It is helping to create the next generation of site managers. The course includes modules specifically designed for Persimmon, following The Persimmon Way, to ensure they are prepared for working on one of our sites.

“It follows our management style and focuses on personal management skills, as well as the technical aspects of the job, to create a more rounded and modern site manager.”

The course runs for two years. Amongst those selected to take part include talented young apprentices who have performed well at NVQ 3.

It is the next step in a flourishing relationship with Bridgend College. Over the last four years, Persimmon has been taking the college’s best bricklaying and carpentry students and giving them full-time jobs on site as ‘improvers’, while working towards further qualifications.

Since 2017 our West Wales business has taken on 85 bricklayers and carpenters, 45 of which are still directly employed by Persimmon.

We’re now working on more partnerships with the college in the years to come.

Carl Davey, construction director at West Wales, said: “The relationship with Bridgend College has really flourished and is of huge benefit for both parties and, most importantly, the students.

“We have received some excellent bricklayers and carpenters from the college who work under our apprentice masters to hone their skills.

“This site manager course is another positive step forward and is helping to raise aspirations and prepare people for senior roles on our sites across Wales.”

Matthew Williams, Executive Director of Work Based Learning at Bridgend College, said he expects the relationship with Persimmon to continue to flourish.

‘We are delighted to launch the first cohort of Persimmon Site Managers who will study towards the Level 4 qualification as part of a Higher Apprenticeship programme with Bridgend College,” he said.

“This is a fantastic career progression opportunity for those apprentices that have excelled at Level 3 and those looking to enter the sector.

“Our strong working relationship with Persimmon has allowed us to tailor this programme specifically around ‘The Persimmon Way’, developing the skilled Persimmon leaders of the future.

“I am sure this will be the first of many cohorts over the forthcoming years as the partnership between Persimmon and Bridgend College continues to grow.”