Bath College has announced Beard Construction as a new strategic partner of the ‘Construction and Building Services – Real Skills Hub’ giving 350 learners and apprentices per year a clear pathway into local labour markets.
Launching from the start of the 2026/27 academic year, the partnership aims to support the development of future talent in the West of England and across the wider construction sector.
The partnership will focus on site visits, workshops, and masterclass sessions, while offering opportunities for learners to engage in practical construction projects and placements.
Beard and Bath College will also review course content in response to current skills gaps and needs in the West of England to develop relevant employment opportunities for learners.
Connecting classroom learning with commercial experience means learners can develop professional behaviours, a portfolio of evidence, industry experience, and placements, creating a successful route into employment.
Sam Kenny, Assistant Principal at Bath College, said: “We are pleased to welcome Beard as a Strategic Partner for construction and building services. Beard has an outstanding reputation for innovation and investing in people, making it an ideal partner in developing the next generation of construction professionals.
“This partnership gives learners access to invaluable industry insight and meaningful, real-world opportunities to engage with employers. By working closely with Beard, our curriculum aligns with industry needs and creates clear progression routes into apprenticeships, further study, and rewarding careers within the sector.”
As a leading construction company, Beard brings more than a century of local construction expertise to the Real Skills Hub’s partner network. Learners will hear from construction professionals about the skills needed to pursue specific roles in construction, as well as workplace expectations.
Neil Sherreard, Deputy Chairman at Beard, said: “We are honoured that Beard has become a Strategic Partner of Bath College’s Real Skills Hub. Construction offers a range of careers, and engagement with employers can help learners understand the different skills and behaviours required to deliver projects and succeed in specific roles.
“We look forward to sharing over a century of construction experience with learners and helping them see how the knowledge they develop in the classroom and workshops will translate into the workplace. By creating an entry point and skills pathway for learners, this initiative will shape the highly skilled professionals of tomorrow in an industry with many skills gaps.”
The overall initiative will address local construction skills gaps, expand career opportunities for young learners, and help reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) by creating clearer routes into skills development and employment.
The relationship also extends beyond construction skills, with the company sponsoring new team kits for the Bath College Sport Academy.
Ian Holtby, Head of Commercial Services at Bath College, added: “We are delighted to have the support of Beard as our principal kit sponsor for our men’s and women’s football teams, as well as our men’s rugby team.
This demonstrates Beard’s support for young people through its partnership with Bath College, promoting employability skills, wellbeing, sport, and leadership in both educational and sporting settings.”
Beard will be the first of many companies across several industries to partner with Bath College for the Real Skills Hub. Further partnerships, activities, and details will follow as the initiative develops.
