Persimmon’s innovative training academy shortlisted in NFB’s Construction Awards of Excellence

We have been shortlisted in the National Federation of Builders’ Construction Awards of Excellence 2023.

Our ‘Persimmon Academy’ – an innovative on-site training facility at its Llanilid site near Pontyclun – has been named in a shortlist of four in the federation’s ‘training initiative of the year’ category.

Persimmon has been recognised for its work with Bridgend College in establishing a bespoke on-site education and training academy, which is helping produce the next generation of construction workers in the region.

The Academy has come into active fruition over the past 12 months, with over 30 new apprenticeship starters this year, and builds on a successful relationship with the College which has developed over the past five years.

Working with lecturers, Persimmon has tailored training models to create its own careers pathway and plug the widening skills gap in the construction industry.

The Awards will be held on the evening of 20th April 2023 at the Tower Hotel, London, and are designed to recognise individuals and companies that set the gold standard in the construction sector.

Commenting, Persimmon Regional Chairman for Wales and South West, Liam Scott said “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted in the NFB’s Construction Awards of Excellence. Our business is only as strong as our people, and Persimmon recognises the importance of securing the future pipeline of talent to ensure we have a sustainable business model.

 “Apprentices deliver huge value for our business as they bring new skills, energy and ways of working, which helps us build thousands of new quality homes every year in communities across Britain. Our innovative creative training initiative in South Wales is creating significant career opportunities for local people, and is part of our vision to become the nation’s leading housebuilder.

 “This nomination and fantastic work at the Academy wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our very own Carl Davey, the Persimmon family and the dedicated team at Bridgend College.”

 The intake for 2022/23 includes over male and female apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds, and the programme is set to expand next year with the inclusion of apprenticeships in groundworks and roof tiling.

In the last 12 months, our apprentice carpenters have erected and completed over 50 timber-frame homes, while our apprentice bricklayers have built numerous external walls and garages in South Wales.

The ongoing commitment to apprenticeship recruitment equates to around 60 trades’ people entering our local site supply chain on an annual basis, and ten assistant site managers bi­annually supplementing our site management teams.

Persimmon’s Group Training Manager, Paul Curry, said “Learners of all ages, no matter what their background, can find an entry point through Bridgend College into a Persimmon Homes apprenticeship programme. Persimmon is making significant investments in our people, and the Academy is offering our apprentices the chance to gain valuable, job specific training, alongside, job security and great career prospects.

 “Working with Bridgend’s lecturers, we have ensured that each learner has their own individual learning plan, which takes into account any specific and unique needs they may have to help them succeed. “Whilst learners follow a structured apprenticeship programme, they are allowed to develop at their own pace, with bespoke support from Persimmon’s apprentice masters and the College’s assessors and lecturers.

 “Due to its success, many learners have been fast-tracked into the higher apprenticeship in recognition of their outstanding progress through levels two and three, and the Academy is now set to become the blueprint for similar models across our businesses in Britain.”

 The Academy was also recently shortlisted in the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru for 2022, and is the brainchild of Persimmon’s Regional Quality Director, and former Construction Director in West Wales, Carl Davey.

Apprenticeships include a detailed focus on the ‘Persimmon Way’, which delivers a holistic approach to construction quality including enhanced technical standards, and comprehensive practical training for all site staff delivered by an experienced team of construction trainers.

Alongside the College, we have also designed a site management course that is bespoke to Persimmon, and trains future staff for the company’s Welsh developments with qualifications in construction and site management.

Commenting on the housebuilder’s inclusion in the NFB’s awards, Carl Davey said “To be recognised by the National Federation of Builders is an incredible honour. Construction is a great enabler of the local economy, and our apprenticeship programme has already created over 150 job opportunities for workers on our sites across the country, with more to come.

 “The establishment of the Persimmon Academy has strengthened our commitment to apprenticeships and will help ensure our workforce reflects the communities we build in and the customers we serve. We look forward to continuing this important work, and delivering a first-class learning environment for the next generation of construction workers in South Wales and beyond.”

Notes to editors:

Please find attached a photo of apprentices and staff at our Persimmon Academy for use in publication with this story. 

The Persimmon Academy is based at the housebuilder’s development in Llanilid, Pontyclun, South Wales, and is a partnership delivered with Bridgend College. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) represents builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales and is one of the UK’s longest standing trade bodies. For more information on the awards please visit https://www.builders.org.uk/the-nfb/construction-awards-of-excellence/finalists-2023/

The federation provides expert advice, training, representation and business services for members so that they can comply with industry standards, excel in delivery, and grow successful businesses. For more information please contact Chris Thorne on 07429586932 or chris.thorne@persimmonhomes.com