The UK’s first co-funded, industry-led construction school, AccXel, has introduced specialist VR technology into their plant operator apprenticeship programme, following an asset finance funding package from Lloyds Bank.
The construction sector is facing an increasing skills crisis with nearly a quarter of the current workforce expected to retire in the next 5 to 10 years. Investment in the state-of-the-art technology was made to entice the next generation of professionals to pursue careers in trades, specifically in plant operations.
Located on the outskirts of Cinderford, Gloucester, AccXel was founded by Nicola Bird, the third generation of an £80million construction company KW Bell Group. Nicola identified that for continual sectoral growth, the skills gap needed to be addressed. She sought to do this by reclaiming control over the education of new and existing professionals in construction.
AccXel was founded specifically to tackle the skills crisis and to train civil engineers, groundworkers and plant operators. The use of the state-of-the-art virtual reality training simulators will provide real world recreations of operating plant machinery and provide a safe environment for plant apprentices to master their craft. AccXel is the only UK construction apprenticeship scheme that provides this technology to young professionals in training.
Nicola Bird, founder and managing director of AccXel, said: “One of my main reasons for founding AccXel, was to create bespoke training programmes which better suited the industry. My time with KW Bell Group made me realise that traditional apprenticeship schemes don’t offer a comprehensive package of learning and development and wouldn’t be able to support the growth of the industry.
“Being the only woman in the boardroom, I understand the challenges of growing as a professional in a male dominated industry. Women are vastly underrepresented in construction and currently make up just 11% of the whole industry. This is yet another issue we want to work towards solving at AccXel. We believe having women represent 15% of our apprentice mix is a strong statement to the industry and we will continue to pioneer and provide equal opportunity to young women across all sector roles.”
Along with setting industry leading targets for female-led growth, Nicola is focusing on showcasing roles in construction to women across the education sector. AccXel recently conducted a simulator workshop at Five Acres High School in Coleford, where pupils had the opportunity to experience the training simulators first hand.
Daniel Tregunna, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank, said: “A lack of talent that businesses can nurture and help to progress into different roles is a huge issue for the construction sector. Investment in technology like these simulators will provide real world experience that focuses on the safety of operating heavy machinery along with promoting a diverse range of roles to women across the industry.
“Our asset finance program will allow AccXel to showcase their innovative learning and development programs, while also setting industry leading standards for increasing and diversifying women’s roles within the construction sector.”
