Why Local Construction Businesses Should Invest in Apprenticeships and Local Talent
As construction businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond prepare for the next season of growth, one question should be at the top of every employer’s mind: How are you futureproofing your workforce?
With a steady pipeline of school and college leavers as well as adults looking for a new direction, there has never been a better time to invest in apprenticeships. And the good news is, apprenticeships don’t have to start in September. With ACE Training, apprentices can begin at any point in the year, making it easier for employers to bring in new talent when the timing is right for their business!
For over 20 years ACE Training have supported hundreds of construction employers to build stronger, smarter and more sustainable teams, and we know the real value apprentices bring to businesses both large and small.
1. Grow Your Own Talent – Locally
Apprenticeships aren’t just about giving young people a start in the industry. They’re about investing in the future of your business and your community. By hiring from your local area, you are reducing recruitment risk, building loyalty and creating opportunities where they are needed most.
Young apprentices bring fresh ideas, drive, and adaptability. All traits that are vital in a competitive and evolving construction sector.
2. Training That Fits Your Business
Unlike off-the-shelf training programmes, apprenticeships are built around the skills you need. Whether you are a carpenter in rural Oxfordshire or a property developer with a multi-trade team, we tailor our delivery to support your goals.
At ACE Training, we specialise in:
• Bricklaying
• Site Carpentry
• Bench Joinery
• Property Maintenance
Our expert tutors have real industry experience and our workshops are set up to mirror live construction environments. We are not a college trying to do a bit of everything! We are a specialist construction training centre, which makes us more responsive, flexible and relevant to your needs.
3. Upskill Your Current Team – Apprenticeships at Any Age
Did you know an apprenticeship isn’t just for 16- to 18-year-olds? You can use apprenticeship funding to upskill existing staff of any age, from promising labourers to experienced workers who want to develop supervisory skills or branch into a new trade.
And because apprenticeships can start year-round, you don’t have to wait for the academic calendar. Training can begin when it works best for you and your team.
This not only boosts capability and productivity but also shows your commitment to professional development, which is a powerful retention tool in a competitive labour market.
4. Drive Productivity and Performance
Apprentices quickly become valuable members of the team, often helping to free up your senior tradespeople to focus on higher-level tasks. They improve team morale and motivation.
They learn on the job, apply knowledge immediately and bring a “can-do” attitude that often lifts the whole team.
5. Support Your CSR and Social Value Goals
Apprenticeships aren’t just a smart business move; they are a meaningful contribution to your community. By offering real opportunities to learn and earn, you are helping to:
• Reduce youth unemployment
• Address skills shortages locally
• Promote diversity and inclusion in construction
• Fulfil social value commitments for tenders and public contracts
In a time where ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting and Corporate Social Responsibility matter more than ever, apprenticeships deliver measurable, meaningful impact.
6. A Cost-Effective Investment
Hiring skilled labour is expensive. Apprenticeships are a more sustainable way to build your team. For many small employers, government funding can cover up to 100% of training costs and you may be eligible for additional grants or incentives.
ACE Training makes the process simple all the way through from recruitment support and on-boarding, to managing funding and compliance. We are your partner, not just your provider.
Why Choose ACE Training
ACE has been at the heart of construction training in Oxfordshire since 2001. We are proud to be:
• A trusted, specialist centre focused solely on construction trades
• Flexible in how we deliver training to suit your site schedules
• Well-connected with schools, employers and industry networks
• Sustainability-minded, embedding green practices in everything we do
Our learners become skilled tradespeople. Our employers become long-term partners. And our results speak for themselves.
If you’re a construction business – whether you employ two people or two hundred, now is the time to invest in potential.
Hire an apprentice. Upskill your team. Shape your future.
Contact our Employer Engagement Team today to discuss how ACE Training can support your business.
Visit www.acetraining.co.uk
Email: [email protected] or call 01865 370040
Based in Oxfordshire, working with businesses across the region.
