Construction recruitment specialist to open training centre

Recruitment firm Hercules Site Services has announced the opening of a training centre in Nuneaton.

The Gloucestershire company, which supplies labour to the infrastructure and construction sectors, has announced the opening of the Hercules Construction Academy.

Situated in the market town of Nuneaton, the academy plans to train up to 400 new entrants in its first year, going on to upskill and educate thousands of workers over the coming years.

It will initially employ eight members of staff and provide a range of courses. Qualifications offered include health and safety courses, NVQs, T-levels and degree-level apprenticeships, as well as specialist courses in utility detection, working at height, overhead powerline awareness, highways, and other bespoke industry courses.

It is forecasted that an additional 225,000 workers will be needed by the industry by 2027 to meet demand.

The academy will help address this skills shortage and ultimately benefit major infrastructure and construction projects across the UK, including the likes of HS2, the planned AMP8 water sector infrastructure works,

Highways England projects and proposed mega-projects like the Lower Thames Crossing as well as renewable energy and nuclear energy infrastructure.

Brusk Korkmaz, chief executive of Hercules Site Services, said: “This landmark launch represents an incredibly exciting time for Hercules and the wider industry. We recognise the rapidly changing training and skills landscape and we believe we can deliver the very best in construction training throughout the UK.

“Hercules prides itself in taking an innovative approach to providing labour and support services to the infrastructure and construction industries, something which we have been doing since 2008. And I am proud to support the next generation of learners into our academy and beyond, where we plan to recruit some of the learners into our Labour Supply and Construction Services divisions.

“Attendees of the Hercules Construction Academy will learn from lecturers with extensive hands-on and real-world experience of the industry, whilst our location and connections throughout the sector mean learners will be extremely well placed to secure employment and others will return to their employers with enhanced skill sets.”

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said:  “It’s fantastic to see key employers like Hercules offering gold standard T-Levels, alongside high-quality apprenticeships, and other qualifications.

“We are building a skills and apprenticeships nation, Hercules Construction Academy will enable more people to gain the skills and experience they need to build a successful career in the construction industry, while ensuring the sector can continue to tap into the talent pipeline they need.

“I’m also delighted it will expand access to more Degree Level Apprenticeship opportunities, allowing people of all backgrounds to earn while they learn without the student debt and climb the ladder of opportunity.”

Marcus Jones MP, MP for Nuneaton, said: “I am so pleased the Hercules Construction Academy is being launched in Nuneaton.

“The Hercules Academy based here in Nuneaton offers a diverse range of accredited courses to help aspiring professionals and equip industry roles.

“I have always advocated practical training experience and I know this purpose built environment will enable that.

“I know this project will take on hundreds of entrants in the next few years and train and upskill applicants who will go onto important careers in construction and infrastructure.

“I wish Hercules and the Hercules Construction Academy every success.”

Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “It’s fantastic news for Warwickshire that the Hercules Construction Academy is now accepting students significantly boosting the opportunities for our residents to explore a career in construction.

“Hercules offer an impressive selection of courses which will complement the needs of the industry and our local businesses.”