Hartlepool college and housebuilder cement relationship with donation of 10,000 bricks

The donation will support the training and assessment of the next generation of construction professionals.

Main image: Michael Johnson (Apprentice Manager, Persimmon), Sean Taylor (Managing Director, Persimmon Teesside), Millie Addison (Apprentice, Persimmon), John Cartwright (Head of Construction and the Built Environment, Hartlepool College), Mayor Brian Cowie, Mayoress Veronica Nicholson, Darren Hankey (Principle, Hartlepool College) and Justin Bird (Deputy Head of Construction and the Built Environment).

The special delivery was welcomed by college Principal Darren Hankey in the company of Mayor Cllr Brian Cowie, Mayoress Cllr Veronica Nicholson, construction apprentices and representatives of Persimmon Homes.

The bricks, enough to build a large three-bedroom house, will be used by students and apprentices for developing the skills needed for a successful career in construction as the industry seeks to attract a new generation of workers to complete much-needed housing projects.

Building a more diverse workforce is vital for the construction sector and earlier this year Persimmon launched their Target 50 initiative to recruit an additional 50 female apprentices or technical trainees in construction facing roles this year.

One such apprentice is Millie Addison (pictured) who has found great success since joining Persimmon as an apprentice bricklayer, recently winning Hartlepool Colleges ‘Construction and the Built Environment Student of the year’ award.

Hartlepool College Principal Darren Hankey said: “We’re grateful for the support Persimmon provides to help apprentices like Millie develop the skills they need.

“It’s great to see Millie flourishing.  She has been an exceptional student from day one and we’re only too pleased to host the Mayor and Mayoress to meet some of our construction apprentices and to welcome this donation.”

Mayor Cllr Brian Cowie said: “The Mayoress and I had a wonderful morning at Hartlepool College where we were able to witness the outstanding facilities on offer to apprentices in Hartlepool.   

“The college in collaboration with employers like Persimmon is working to ensure that young people in Hartlepool benefit from one of the many careers available throughout the construction industry.”

Sean Taylor, Managing Director of Persimmon Teesside added: “With the need for new housing well documented, we know how important it is to support construction students and help develop a diverse, talented workforce for the years ahead.

“We are particularly proud of our links to local colleges and helping young people across the region to develop the skills they need to pursue one of the many exciting careers that housebuilding has to offer.

“Attracting young people from all backgrounds is absolutely vital to make up for those retiring from the industry. That is why we continue to build upon the 600 apprentices and trainees we have across the group and launched our Target 50 initiative to take on another 50 female apprentices and technical trainees in construction facing roles this year.”