The Russell Skills Academy will support over 70 ex-military personnel each year at its Coggeshall development and forms part of Vistry’s long-standing commitment to supporting employment opportunities for those who have served their country. 

The academy will utilise Building Heroes’ expertise - training and graduating over 2,300 military personnel since 2014, supporting them in sustainable employment across the building, construction and engineering trade. The programme provides construction training while immersed within the industry and will support six cohorts of 12 learners, providing skills and employment pathways leading to a second career.

Training is delivered by Colchester Institute to ensure the academy can truly meet the needs of the local people, support the local economy and work in collaboration to ensure social value.

Over a five-week programme, learners will gain valuable skills in key trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing.  Upon completion, they receive a Level 1 City & Guild Construction Skills Qualification, CSCS card and Health and Safety certificate. 

These qualifications provide a foundation for candidates entering the construction industry and a gateway to opportunities in areas such as Health & Safety, site and project management, or specialising in a specific trade.

Vistry’s Russell Skills Academy has been named in honour of the late Darren Russell, who was an Area Build Manager for Vistry and joined the construction industry after serving in the military for three years, including two tours of Northern Ireland. Throughout his career, Darren was an advocate for providing skills training to veterans.

Plans are in place to expand Vistry’s partnership with Building Heroes to deliver further skills academies for military personnel at other developments across the country.

Earl Sibley, COO of Vistry Group, commented: “We are delighted to have launched our first skills academy for veterans in partnership with Building Heroes, an organisation that is doing fantastic work. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our nation’s Armed Forces, past and present, have access to employment opportunities.

“We are also incredibly proud to name the academy in honour of our colleague, Darren Russell, who was a shining example of the positive impact that employment support can bring to the military community.

“Social value is at the heart of building sustainable communities and we look forward to establishing more skills academies for veterans at Vistry developments.”

Karen Jefford, CEO of Building Heroes, commented:"We are incredibly proud to celebrate the opening of the Russell Skills Academy with our partners at Vistry. This new facility will not only honour Darren Russell, but also make a significant impact in supporting career transitions for learners from our military community and other underrepresented groups. 

“Building Heroes has the capacity to provide training programmes for up to 1,000 learners per year across England, and we are excited to be expanding further with more academies throughout 2023 to meet the growing demand from both our learners and the construction industry.

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with our industry partners in the development of Building Heroes Academies to provide employment solutions that meet the needs of employers while supporting our military personnel's transition into the civilian workplace."