The Capital Apprenticeship Academy, a joint apprenticeship programme between AECOM and Capital Directorate in the Department for Education (DfE), formerly part of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), won the Apprenticeship Initiative of the Year category at last week’s 2018 Construction News Talent Awards.
The DfE’s first collaboration of its kind with one of its suppliers, the unique Capital Apprenticeship Academy programme gives apprentices experience in client, consultant and contractor roles through a series of rotations. As part of the four-and-a-half-year programme, apprentices work one day a week towards a BSc in construction management or quantity surveying at the University College of Estate Management (UCEM). In addition to earning their degrees, they also gain valuable knowledge of public and private sector projects at a very early stage in their careers.
Launched last year, AECOM and the DfE so far have taken on fourteen new apprentices who are on rotating placements and have already begun working on high-profile projects with both organisations.
Mike Green, Chief Operating Officer for DfE and Director General of Operations Group, said: “I am delighted this innovative apprenticeship programme has been recognised in the construction industry. The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for those involved, offering professional experience with the client, consultant and contractor, whilst obtaining a degree and membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) over four and half years. The Department for Education is fully committed to the future expansion of this scheme to ensure that more can benefit.”
Rory Kennedy, Director of Capital at DfE, said: “In DfE Capital we are keen to grow our own talent and this scheme offers a unique development and training experience for our construction project managers and quantity surveyors of the future. By giving the apprentices the opportunity to experience a project from the client, consultant and contractor perspective, we are ensuring well-rounded and skilled apprentices in the industry. I am very pleased for all involved in the Capital Apprenticeship Academy that it has received industry recognition.”
Richard Whitehead, Managing Director – Building + Places, UK & Ireland, AECOM, said: “The Capital Apprenticeship Academy is designed to give apprentices joining both AECOM and the DfE a much broader understanding of the industry. This award is great recognition for the joint team behind the programme, which is training future project managers with the right blend of skills and expertise industry needs.”
Stephen Bartle, Director Commercial and Business Development at UCEM, said, “We are delighted to see this innovative project achieve the recognition it deserves. It is very exciting to be involved in an initiative that demonstrates the benefits of effective collaboration between employers, as part of our work to deliver apprenticeship training for Government. We think this approach has the potential to be replicated successfully by other employers seeking to work across their supply chains.”
The CN Talent Awards, presented by Construction News magazine, celebrate the people striving to make construction a more inclusive industry, as well the businesses doing outstanding work to improve the construction industry’s reputation and employment practices.
The Apprenticeship Initiative of the Year category recognises the companies that are leading the way when it comes to taking on apprentices and equipping them with the training and tools for a long-term future in construction. The Capital Apprenticeship Academy was named winner at a ceremony in London last week, beating nine other shortlisted initiatives.