National housebuilder Persimmon Homes is helping construction students develop the skills they need to thrive in the industry, through the donation of 10,000 bricks to a Forest of Dean school.
Persimmon, which has housing developments across Gloucestershire including in Lydney, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham, has donated the bricks — enough to build a family home — to the AccXel Construction School in Cinderford, to enable its students to practice their bricklaying skills.
The housebuilder, which makes its own bricks at its factory, has existing ties with AccXel, winning a bronze 'Constructing Futures' award at its most recent AccXtraveganza ceremony, to mark its funding of three apprenticeships at the school.
Persimmon Homes Severn Valley managing director, Claire Burton, said: 'We are delighted to support AccXel with this donation of 10,000 bricks. Our initiative is part of Persimmon’s commitment to developing young talent in our region and ensuring students have what they need to build their skills.
'It’s really important for us to cultivate a strong pipeline of skilled local construction workers, especially given Persimmon’s extensive footprint in Gloucestershire and our determination to deliver high quality homes for local people.
'We believe investing in today’s students builds the workforce of tomorrow, supporting the broader community’s growth and development, so we’re thrilled to help out with AccXel.'
Louise Dawson-Thomas, head of education at AccXel, added: 'On behalf of the entire team at AccXel, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Persimmon for its generous donation of bricks for our Apprenticeship Programme.
'We truly appreciate Persimmon’s support in this endeavour and look forward to sharing the positive outcomes that the donation will enable.
'AccXel looks forward to continuing this meaningful relationship and working together to support the growth of our students and our sector.'
