Industry Minister Visits Shooters Hill Sixth Form College’s Build Academy

On Thursday 5th February, Shooters Hill Sixth Form College proudly welcomed Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Business and Trade, to its innovative Build Academy. The visit was hosted in partnership with CITB and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The Build Academy is a pioneering pilot scheme designed to address critical skills shortages in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) construction sector. With a strong emphasis on green skills and retrofit, the programme is preparing learners to meet the growing demand for sustainable construction and domestic retrofit expertise.

During the visit, the Minister met with learners, staff and industry partners to see first-hand how collaboration between education and industry is creating meaningful pathways into construction careers.

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, said:

“The Build Academy shows what can be achieved when industry and education work together with real ambition.”

Learners also spoke about the impact of the Build Academy on their development and aspirations.

Tom shared:

“Build Academy is the right place to be for practical skills.”

Tijan added:

“Build Academy is a place to push past your limits.”

Geoff Osborne highlighted the wider significance of the initiative:

“Today is about more than just a ministerial visit; it is a testament to the fact that our construction learners are part of something bigger. At the Build Academy we are transforming lives by preparing learners for the next steps in a career within the construction industry that offers skills for lifelong learning. Seeing the Minister engage with our learners reinforces that they are the heartbeat of an industry that builds our future.”

The Build Academy forms part of the domestic retrofit strand of the RMI Sector Skills Plan, which is set to launch later this year. The initiative represents a significant step forward in equipping the next generation with the technical expertise and green skills needed to support the UK’s construction sector.

Shooter Hill Sixth Form College is proud to be at the forefront of this collaborative effort, ensuring learners are prepared not only for employment, but for lifelong careers in an evolving and sustainable industry.