Persimmon and college cement relationship with donation of 10,000 bricks

Persimmon has strengthened its relationship with Accrington & Rossendale College through a donation of 10,000 bricks to support the training and assessment of the next generation of construction professionals.

The special delivery was welcomed this week by college Principal Amanda Melton CBE in the company of some of the college’s 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 we launched our Target 50 initiative to recruit an additional 50 female apprentices or technical trainees in construction facing roles this year.

Left to right: college apprentice, Ian MacDonald (Persimmon Homes), Morag Davis (Accrington & Rossendale College), Amanda Melton CBE (Principal, Accrington & Rossendale College), Kevin Farrington (Managing Director Persimmon Homes Lancashire), Steven Buckley (Head of Construction Accrington & Rossendale College), college apprentice.

College Chief Executive and Principal, Amanda Melton CBE said: “We were thrilled to receive this generous donation from Persimmon Homes and are extremely grateful for their collaborative approach in supporting our learners.

“It is only through close collaboration with employers such as this that we are able to provide our learners with the outstanding learning experience they receive at Accrington and Rossendale College, enabling our young people to enter construction environments ready to make immediate, productive contributions.”

Sara Britcliffe MP said: ‘It is great to see this collaboration between our College and Persimmon Homes. Training our young people for the skills that they need for the future is key and, by working together like this, it helps to build a successful future for the students involved’.

Kevin Farrington Managing Director for Persimmon Homes Lancashire 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 400 plus apprentices and trainees we currently 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.”