Foundation for College Partnership
In a significant show of support for construction education in the Suffolk region, Persimmon Homes Suffolk has donated 10,000 bricks to West Suffolk College, located in Bury St Edmunds. The generous contribution—enough bricks to construct a typical three-bedroom house—will provide bricklaying students with high-quality materials to enhance their practical training and skill development.
The donation arrived just ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, reinforcing the importance of apprenticeships and vocational learning pathways within the construction industry. Students wasted no time in putting the new materials to use, immediately incorporating the bricks into their hands-on training projects.
Enhancing Hands-On Construction Training
Bricklaying students at West Suffolk College, which forms part of the Eastern Education Group, have already begun building with the new supply. Previously, learners were reusing older bricks as part of their coursework. While this allowed them to practice fundamental techniques, it limited the quality and finish they could achieve in their projects.
The arrival of fresh, unused bricks has made a noticeable difference in the workshop environment. Students can now focus on producing cleaner finishes, sharper mortar lines, and more professional-looking structures. Access to new materials allows them to replicate real-world site conditions more accurately, better preparing them for employment within the housebuilding sector.
High-quality materials not only improve technical results but also boost morale. Students take greater pride in their work when they see tangible improvements in the final product. This increased confidence plays a vital role in building the mindset required for success in the construction industry.
Strengthening Industry–Education Partnerships
Kelvin O’Heath-Dwyer, Head of Construction for Persimmon Homes Suffolk, visited the college to observe the students’ progress and see firsthand how the donation was being utilised.
During his visit, Kelvin emphasised the importance of supporting local colleges and investing in the next generation of skilled workers. He noted that while students had previously been reusing bricks, the availability of new bricks significantly improves both the learning experience and the final results.
“Previously the students were reusing bricks, but having fresh new bricks allows them to get a cleaner finish and gives them greater pride in their work,” he explained.
As a five-star housebuilder, Persimmon Homes recognises the need to build strong relationships with educational institutions. By forming meaningful partnerships with colleges, the company aims to create a direct link between classroom training and real-world construction sites.
Kelvin highlighted that today’s students represent the future workforce of the industry. Supporting them during their training ensures a steady pipeline of skilled tradespeople who are ready to contribute to housing delivery across the region.
Promoting Apprenticeships as a Career Path
The timing of the donation, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, further underlines the company’s commitment to apprenticeships as a valuable route into construction careers.
During his visit, Kelvin offered guidance to students about potential career pathways within the housebuilding sector. He spoke about the benefits of apprenticeships, explaining how they combine practical site experience with structured training and qualifications.
Apprenticeships provide students with the opportunity to earn while they learn, develop industry-recognised skills, and gain exposure to live construction projects. Kelvin expressed his hope that some of the students currently training at the college would eventually secure positions on Persimmon Homes’ local developments in the coming years.
By engaging directly with learners, industry leaders can demystify career progression and give students a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them after completing their studies.
Recognition as a Construction Training Excellence Centre
West Suffolk College has recently earned recognition from the UK Government as a Construction Training Excellence Centre (CTEC). This designation reflects the institution’s high standards in delivering construction education and its strong connections with industry partners.
Shane Langthorne, Group Deputy Principal for Eastern Education Group, who oversees all construction-related activities, expressed deep appreciation for the brick donation.
“We are incredibly grateful to Persimmon for this incredible donation of 10,000 bricks,” he said. “It’s a fantastic gesture that will enable our students to work with top-quality products as they hone their skills on the way to becoming bricklaying superstars of the future.”
Shane explained that the contribution strengthens the college’s ability to provide industry-standard training. Working with new materials mirrors the expectations students will face on professional building sites, ensuring they graduate job-ready.
He also emphasised that partnerships with leading housebuilders enhance the college’s reputation as an outstanding training centre. The collaboration demonstrates strong business links and a shared commitment to developing local talent.
A Student Perspective: Building Skills and Confidence
For students, the impact of the donation is both practical and motivational. Level 2 Bricklaying student Lola Fisher shared her perspective on how the new bricks are transforming their learning experience.
“It makes a real difference to us having fresh bricks to work with. It means we can do a more professional job, and this will help in our assessments,” she said.
Assessment quality plays a significant role in students’ overall performance and confidence. The ability to demonstrate skills using professional-grade materials allows learners to showcase their capabilities more effectively.
Lola also outlined her future ambitions. After completing her course, she hopes to secure an apprenticeship during the summer and begin building a long-term career as a bricklayer. Her aspirations reflect the broader goal of the partnership: turning classroom training into meaningful employment opportunities.
Investing in the Future of Construction
The construction industry continues to face skills shortages across various trades, including bricklaying. Donations such as this help address the challenge by supporting high-quality vocational training at the grassroots level.
By equipping students with the right tools and materials, companies like Persimmon Homes are helping to nurture the next generation of skilled professionals. Strong collaboration between industry and education ensures that training programmes remain aligned with employer expectations.
The initiative also reinforces the importance of corporate social responsibility within the construction sector. Supporting local colleges not only benefits students but also strengthens the wider community by creating sustainable career pathways.
Ongoing Collaboration Beyond Apprenticeship Week
While the brick donation coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, the partnership between Persimmon Homes Suffolk and West Suffolk College does not end there.
Both organisations have expressed their intention to continue working together on future projects beyond the week’s activities, which run until Sunday, February 16. Planned collaborations may include further site visits, mentoring opportunities, and additional material support.
By maintaining an ongoing relationship, the company and the college aim to create long-term value rather than a one-off gesture. Continued engagement ensures students remain connected to industry professionals throughout their training journey.
The donation of 10,000 bricks from Persimmon Homes Suffolk to West Suffolk College represents far more than a supply of building materials. It symbolises a shared commitment to developing skilled tradespeople, strengthening industry–education links, and promoting apprenticeships as a viable and rewarding career path.
With enhanced resources, recognised excellence as a Construction Training Excellence Centre, and active support from a leading housebuilder, the bricklaying students in Bury St Edmunds are well-positioned to lay strong foundations for their future careers.
Through partnerships like this, the next generation of housebuilders is already taking shape—one brick at a time.
source link: https://www.persimmonhomes.com/
