Celebrating the first graduates of Ibstock Academy

Students from the first cohort at Ibstock Academy have graduated, marking an important milestone for the Partner a College pilot programme delivered in partnership with Walsall College and the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

Designed to enhance the students’ overall Level 2 Bricklaying experience, the Academy focused on complementing quality and technical skills, alongside wider industry knowledge needed to take the next step towards employment within the construction sector.

Over the past year, students have taken part in a range of additional learning experiences to broaden their experience and understanding of the industry, along with strengthening their employability.  Activity included visits to the local Atlas brick factory to understand where the materials come from, through to masterclasses focused on technical, quality and brick specials, along with Ibstock colleagues, also support sessions focused on practical knowledge, behaviours and expectations to help prepare them for their transition into employment.

Reflecting on the programme, Helen Bradley, Quality Manager at Ibstock Plc, said: “By working with the students we got to see first-hand their eagerness to learn and their commitment to developing their skills. We hope the experiences we’ve provided will enhance students’ employability in the future.”

Mark Pemberton, Director of Curriculum – Technical at Walsall College extended his thanks to Ibstock and HBF for bringing the Partner a College programme to the college.

“This partnership has provided our learners with industry opportunities they would not usually experience at this early stage in their career journeys,” he said.

“They have gained wider product knowledge and a better understanding of quality control, enhancing their classroom performance, results and professionalism.  We know our students were proud to celebrate their achievements with their lecturers, Ibstock and the Programme partners, demonstrating a new level of confidence in their next steps.”

The partnership with Walsall College benefited from strong collaboration across the home building industry. Keon Homes supported the delivery of construction site visits, as well as soft skills training.

Students have been able to connect more directly with individuals in the industry to build their understanding of the section, like Jake Moore of Moore Masonry Services –

Jake said, “The Ibstock Academy have done a really good job in cementing the basics into the students getting them ready for site,” highlighting the strength of the foundations being built through the programme.

Thanks to additional CITB funding, additional Health and Safety was secured and training delivered through RG Wilbrey, enabling some students to obtain a CSCS cards.

The success of the first Ibstock Academy cohort was celebrated in a graduation ceremony attended by students, college staff, local employers and industry partners.

Cheryl Brown, Head of Corporate Affairs & Social Impact at Ibstock Plc, said: ‘‘We are delighted with how our first academic year has gone at Walsall College – a great example of how education and industry can work together to build the skills and talent our sector needs for the future.  In our first year alone, we’ve gained valuable insights that will inform a formal evaluation of the programme.  We look forward to building on this further as we enter the second year of the pilot.”

Some of the students have already secured the next step into either other construction courses or progressing into more site-specific bricklaying training. One student shared, “The advice we’ve been given has made us more confident to apply for jobs,” reflecting the positive impact the Academy is having on future employment opportunities.

The impact of the Ibstock Academy demonstrates the value of HBF’s Partner a College programme, funded by CITB, which brings home builders and further education colleges together to help ensure students develop the practical, job-ready skills needed by the industry.  By aligning college training with real-world site requirements, the programme is helping to build a stronger pipeline of skilled talent for the home building sector.