Speller Metcalfe has once again partnered with Heart of Worcestershire College and long-standing industry supporter Travis Perkins to help construction apprentices across Worcestershire begin their careers with confidence through the Worcestershire Construction Apprentice Academy (WCAA).
Established by Speller Metcalfe in 2014, the WCAA was created to strengthen the local construction industry by supporting apprentices and the micro businesses that employ them. Now in its twelfth year, the initiative continues to provide practical support to students taking their first steps into the sector.
This year’s cohort of apprentices from Heart of Worcestershire College have each received trade-specific toolkits thanks to the continued support of Travis Perkins and brand partners Stanley Black & Decker, helping remove some of the financial pressures often faced by young people entering the industry.
As part of the latest presentation event, representatives from Speller Metcalfe, Travis Perkins and Heart of Worcestershire College were also given a tour of the College’s Malvern campus, where they were able to see apprentices in action across a range of construction trades. The visit gave partners an opportunity to witness first-hand the hard work, practical skills and dedication students are demonstrating as they prepare for careers in the industry, while also showcasing the importance of continued collaboration between education and industry.
Ryan Probert, Curriculum Manager at Heart of Worcestershire College, said the support makes a meaningful difference to students at a crucial stage in their careers: “Speller Metcalfe and Travis Perkins’ support goes far beyond equipment – it empowers our apprentices with the confidence, professionalism and practical skills they need to thrive in the construction industry.
“By removing the initial cost and financial barrier of purchasing essential tools, they are giving our students a real opportunity to succeed from day one, allowing them to focus fully on developing their skills and building their careers without that added pressure.
“Their commitment not only strengthens the learning experience for our students but also reinforces the importance of industry and education working hand in hand to build brighter futures for the next generation of skilled professionals.”
The WCAA also provides financial support to local employers taking on apprentices, helping smaller businesses invest in new talent while strengthening skills across the regional construction sector.
Having supported the initiative since its launch, Travis Perkins says the partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in the future workforce.
Mike Ebbs, Key Account Manager at Travis Perkins, said: “Travis Perkins sees the need and value in supporting the young individuals starting out in this industry and know that we will need many more of them in the future. It is wonderful that with the help of our brand partners Stanley Black and Decker we are able to support such a great initiative in our community.”
Over the last decade, the WCAA has supported dozens of apprentices across a wide range of construction trades, creating opportunities for young people while helping local employers develop skilled teams for the future.
Speller Metcalfe’s Social Value Coordinator, Emma Price, said: “It was brilliant to see how genuinely excited the apprentices were to receive their toolkits. The quality of the equipment provided by Travis Perkins was fantastic and, for many of the students, this was the first time they’d had a set of tools of their own rather than borrowing from their employer.
“One of the best parts of the day was hearing the apprentices talk about their experiences so far — balancing college with hands-on work and starting to build their careers in the industry. It really brought home the impact the WCAA continues to have, not just for the apprentices themselves, but also for local employers and the college. Seeing the apprenticeship fund making a real difference in practice is incredibly rewarding.”
The latest cohort of apprentices recently received their toolkits during a presentation event attended by representatives from Speller Metcalfe, Travis Perkins and Heart of Worcestershire College, marking the beginning of the students’ journeys into the construction industry.