Persimmon were pleased to welcome Wales’ First Minister, Eluned Morgan, to its Construction Academy in Llanilid during National Apprenticeship Week.

The First Minister was joined by local MP, Alex Davies-Jones, and was given a tour of the Academy where she met with current apprentices and students undertaking construction qualifications.

During the visit, the First Minister spoke with apprentices about their training and future career ambitions, and joined students from Mary Immaculate High School who were taking part in practical bricklaying and tiling demonstrations alongside Persimmon trainees.

The Academy, run in partnership with Bridgend College and supported by Welsh Government apprenticeship funding, combines classroom-based learning with on-site training at Persimmon’s live development in Llanilid, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Students begin on a foundation course before progressing into employment with Persimmon through a three-year apprenticeship programme. The Academy also works with younger learners aged 14–16 to introduce them to careers in construction at an early stage.

By locating the Academy alongside an active development, apprentices gain hands-on experience with modern methods of construction while contributing to the delivery of new homes for the local area.

The Llanilid site will deliver more than 1,700 homes, helping to meet local housing need and support home ownership across Rhondda Cynon Taf, while the Academy continues to play an important role in developing the skilled workforce required to build them.

Sharon Bouhali, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, said:

“We were pleased to welcome the First Minister and Alex Davies-Jones MP to our Construction Academy in Llanilid during National Apprenticeship Week to showcase the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting both our housebuilding programme and the wider Welsh economy.

“Our partnership with Bridgend College is creating meaningful opportunities for people to gain qualifications, develop practical skills and build long-term careers within construction.

“By investing in training and working closely with education providers, government and our supply chain, we are supporting local employment, helping to address skills shortages and ensuring we can continue delivering high-quality, much-needed homes for local people across South Wales.”