MP and Councillor mark developer brick donation to Oxfordshire college

A local housebuilder has reinforced its commitment to nurturing the next generation of construction professionals at ACE Training Centre in Kidlington, thanks to a substantial donation of 10,000 bricks for education and training purposes.

The special delivery from Persimmon Homes Wessex reflects the company's dedication to supporting local construction talent and was marked with an event at the centre’s state-of-the-art construction facilities in the company of apprentices, local MP Calum Miller, and Cllr Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children & Young People.

The bricks, enough to build a three-bedroom house, will be used by students at the Centre, enhancing their practical learning and bricklaying skills. The significant contribution aligns with Persimmon’s ongoing investment in community and education, as demonstrated by their substantial developments at Valley Park in Didcot and Wellington Gate in Wantage.

ACE Training Centre is an award-winning, non-profit training centre offering traditional construction courses via apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in a practical, supportive, and community-focused environment.

Each year, the centre welcomes a bumper intake of enthusiastic school leavers eager to begin their careers in construction, and in addition has 100 apprentices now training across a range of disciplines and going on to work on projects throughout Oxfordshire.

Over the last five years, Persimmon’s activities in the South West have resulted in the construction of over 2,500 new homes, supporting over 12,000 jobs and contributing around £14m in benefits to local communities through council tax receipts, section 106 agreements, and community infrastructure levies.

Once complete, the consortium-led site at Valley Park will see over 4,000 new homes built, as well as brand new amenities including two primary schools, an SEN school, local centres, and sports facilities, all within easy reach of further shops, schools, restaurants and services in bustling Didcot.

Persimmon’s Wellington Gate site, situated on the old airfield between Wantage and Grove, will see 2,500 high-quality homes constructed for local people when finished, alongside two primary schools, a secondary school, community hub, sports facilities, play pitches, play areas, an ecological park, a community park, allotments, and orchards.

Commenting, Seb Spiller, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, said:

“We’re delighted to support ACE Training with this donation of 10,000 bricks. This initiative is part of our commitment to fostering local talent and ensuring students have the materials and experience they need to develop their skills.

“With our significant ongoing schemes at Valley Park and Wellington Gate, where we’re delivering thousands of homes for both communities, it’s crucial for us to cultivate a strong pipeline of skilled local construction workers.

“We believe investing in education today strengthens the workforce of tomorrow and supports the broader community’s growth and development, and we’re delighted to work with ACE Training to achieve this.”

Calum Miller MP, Member of Parliament for Bicester and Woodstock, added:

“I welcome the investment in ACE Training, whose excellent facilities are helping young people gain the skills and experience our economy needs. Supporting local talent is vital if we are to meet the region’s growing demand for housing and infrastructure. The best way to secure that future is by equipping the next generation with the tools for lasting careers in construction.”

Adam Marsh, Managing Director of ACE Training Centre, expressed their gratitude, saying:

“On behalf of the college, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Persimmon Homes for its generous donation.

“As part of our ongoing partnership, these bricks will provide our students with invaluable opportunities to further their hands-on training and skill development.”

Cllr Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, also commented:

“This generous donation is a fantastic example of how local businesses can make a real difference in shaping the future of our community.

“By investing in the training and development of our young people, Persimmon is not only supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople but also ensuring that Weston’s growing housing and infrastructure needs are met with local talent.”