Vistry Group opens new Skills Academy in Exeter

A new Skills Academy has been launched in Exeter to provide construction training and employment opportunities for the local community.

Vistry Group, which incorporates Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes and Linden Homes, has opened the Brandon Ball Skills Academy at its Matford Brook development in Alphington, in honour of a former employee.

Delivered in partnership with local authorities, schools and colleges, training partner Greenlight and the local supply chain, the innovative training facility is designed to encourage more people into construction, while combatting the skills shortage affecting the industry. It will provide onsite training, mentoring and skills development, as well as opportunities for local people to gain work experience and vocational qualifications.

To mark the launch of the Brandon Ball Skills Academy, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter joined representatives from Vistry, Greenlight, Phil Deare Carpentry, Clarkson Evans, MJL Contractors and Western Counties Roofing.

Emma Colin, regional managing director at Vistry’s Devon South West office, commented: “The industry needs 45,500 new workers per year to meet UK construction demand and we’re pleased to launch this fantastic new facility for the local community to help bridge the gap. We are now ready to train new cohorts of learners with our training partner Greenlight.”

Emma said: “We have named the Skills Academy in memory of former colleague, Brandon Ball, who was a trainee quantity surveyor at Vistry. As part of his trainee programme, he completed his two year HNC in Sustainable Construction and the Built Environment at South Devon College, earning and learning at the same time. He sadly passed away in 2020, aged 21 and the Skills Academy is named in his honour, as he was a valued member of the team.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Paul Knott, said: “It’s brilliant to see the hard work that’s gone into this wonderful community initiative as the Skills Academy will make a huge difference to Exeter and the surrounding area. I was fascinated to learn about all the support available for those interested in joining the construction industry, or for anyone keen to expand their knowledge and experience. The concern and awareness of the importance of mental health support amongst the team was particularly impressive.”

Dan Symons, director at Greenlight Safety and Training, commented: “Greenlight’s delighted to be a key part of this ambitious and important project with Vistry. There are a range of challenges facing the construction industry in 2024, and if we’re to meet them head-on we need to generate as many opportunities for training and employment that we can in the region. The Vistry Plus Skills Academy in Alphington is perfectly placed to deliver these opportunities for local people, and we’re hugely excited to help train the next generation of skilled construction workers. This is a project that’s good for everyone involved in the sector and will provide tangible benefits for the wider workforce and economy.”

Launched in 2017, the Vistry Plus Skills Academies benefit communities by supporting local authorities and registered providers to promote careers in construction and reduce the skills gap. They also help build resilience in the local supply chain, upskill the existing workforce and generate local economic growth through training and employment opportunities for school leavers, unemployed, university graduates, prisoners due for release and armed forces leavers.

By the end of 2024, Vistry will have 10 Skills Academies operating across the country from South West to the North East. For more information visit www.vistrygroup.co.uk