A leading housebuilder has been shortlisted in this year’s prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The awards are organised by the Welsh Government and recognise the achievement of individuals, employers and learning practitioners across nine different categories.
Persimmon Homes is one of four organisations listed in the Large and Macro Employer of the Year category.
The housebuilder has been shortlisted for its work with Bridgend College in establishing a ground-breaking education and training academy in Pontyclun, which is producing the next generation of construction workers in South Wales.
This year, the College has also designed a ‘management apprenticeship’ course that is bespoke to Persimmon and will train future staff for the company’s Welsh developments with qualifications in construction and site management.
The initiative builds on a successful relationship that has developed between the two organisations over the past five years, and has created over 150 new job opportunities in construction across the region.
Persimmon is shortlisted alongside Kepak Group, Celsa Steel UK and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, with the winner to be announced at an awards ceremony on the 10th November.
Commenting on the housebuilder’s inclusion in the prestigious awards, regional quality director for Persimmon Homes in Wales, Carl Davey said:
“Persimmon’s partnership with Bridgend College is vital for the future of the business in South Wales, and we are delighted our work at the Academy has been recognised in these prestigious awards.
“Construction is the great enabler of the Welsh 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.
“To be recognised by the Welsh Government and National Training Federation for Wales is a real honour, and 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.”
The awards are supported by the National Training Federation for Wales to showcase the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations.
Firms shortlisted are recognised for showing a dynamic approach to training, demonstrated initiative and enterprise, innovation and creativity, and shown an understanding of, and commitment to, the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.
Persimmon Homes’ Wales and South West regional chairman, Liam Scott said:
“We’re delighted to have been listed as one of the nation’s leading apprenticeship employers for 2022, and recognised for our vital work boosting career opportunities for Welsh people.
“Our apprentices deliver huge value for Persimmon as they bring new skills, energy and ways of working, which helps us build hundreds of new homes every year in communities across South Wales.
“These awards acknowledge the significant investment we are making in our people with the Persimmon Academy, and offering our apprentices the chance to gain valuable, job specific training, alongside, job security and great career prospects.
“This nomination and great work at the Academy wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and commitment of Carl Davey, our Welsh businesses and the team at Bridgend College.”
