BAM has become the first construction company in the South West to achieve the status of National Skills Academy for Construction for a programme-based approach to skills and training. The decision will trigger a huge programme of work opportunities in the South West of England for the next three years.

Until now, National Skills Academy for Construction status –conferred by CITB- ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council and industry training board - has only been granted for specific projects in the area. BAM Construction Western Ltd has achieved National Skills Academy for Construction status for a programme of projects across the region.

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It is estimated that this will create over 100 ten-day work experience placements for 16-19 year-olds, 200-plus curriculum support activities including hour-long classroom lessons, 44 apprenticeships and 75 jobs advertised through local employment agencies, among a range of other employment benefits.

Schemes in the region that will be included include three in Plymouth (Marine Academy, All Saints Academy, and Plymouth University Technology College), two in Bristol (Winterbourne International Academy and Bristol Free School), two in Somerset (Taunton Academy and Bridgwater College Performing Arts Centre) and one in South Wales (Morriston Hospital). Over £150 million of projects will be involved with the skills academy. The projects announced today form around £100 million of that.

Chris Jones, Director of Training and Development for BAM, said: "This is fantastic news for young people in the South West. It underlines BAM’s commitments both to the region and to developing the skills of the communities we work in. I'm very proud that we are the first to get this status and we’re already looking into whether we can repeat this achievement elsewhere in the UK."

(CD/GK)