Students at Burnley College have been invited to join an exciting new programme with Prospect Homes, designed to enhance skills training through industry expertise.
The initiative, called Partner a College, is a two-year pilot programme supported by the Construction Industry Training Board and run by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
It aims to better align vocational education with workforce needs by fostering long-term collaboration between home builders and colleges.
Later this year, Prospect Homes will welcome a group of enthusiastic Construction learners to its New Road development, Hollinsgate.
Apprentices studying bricklaying, painting, joinery and plastering at Burnley College will benefit from practical, onsite support and one-to-one mentoring from Prospect Homes’ experienced teams.
T Level students specializing in design, planning, and surveying will also gain hands-on experience by working with the company’s design, surveying, and construction management teams.
Michael Orgill, Managing Director at Prospect Homes, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in addressing the construction sector’s skills gap:
“With more than 35,000 vacancies across the sector and over half of employers struggling to recruit because applicants don’t have the right skills, we have a responsibility to step up.
“Demand is only set to grow as the country works towards delivering 1.5 million new homes, so giving young people the confidence and real-world experience they need has never mattered more.”
Prospect Homes, part of The Riverside Group, is the first housebuilder linked to a housing association to join the programme. All profits from its home sales are reinvested into social value work and communities across the UK.
Walker Timber Engineering, one of Prospect Homes’ trusted subcontractors, will also participate, providing students with experience in modern timber frame construction methods.
Tom Fairlie, Sales Director at Walker Timber Engineering, said:
“Homes built using timber frame are fast becoming the build method of choice, and it is vital we uplift young people on their career journey within the housebuilding industry.”
David Lord, Head of Construction and Engineering at Burnley College, expressed pride in the partnership:
“This fantastic partnership will empower students with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to thrive and build confident, successful futures.”
Andy George, Director of Industry Attraction and Skills at the HBF, added:
“Through this partnership, the home building industry is continuing to demonstrate that it is acting proactively to bridge the gap between further education students and the realities of real-world work.”
The programme represents a significant step towards ensuring vocational training remains relevant, ambitious, and rooted in opportunity for all. It aims to futureproof the construction workforce and help meet government housing targets.
Do you want to help build the future brick by brick? Nurture your ambitions by exploring Burnley College’s wide range of Construction courses, taking advantage of award-winning facilities, exceptional teaching, and incredible industry connections.
