In an era where the construction industry faces a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, Caxton Group is taking bold steps to address the problem head-on by launching its own academy in partnership with Salutem – an independent training provider. This is not just a training facility – it’s a statement of intent, a commitment to quality, and a blueprint for how apprenticeships should be delivered.
Spearheaded by Ivan Sharpe, Caxton’s Apprenticeship Development Manager, the initiative was born out of frustration with the status quo. “Previously we weren’t getting back properly trained, educated apprentices,” Ivan explains. “The standard of apprentices was quite varied so about five years ago our director Andy Townshend and I said: ‘We can do better’.”
That belief has now materialised into a fully-fledged academy, offering intensive, hands-on bricklayer training that goes far beyond the standard curriculum. While the academy follows the ST0095 Level 2 Bricklayer standard, Caxton has enhanced the framework with its own in-depth courses, thereby ensuring that apprentices receive practical and meaningful instruction, rather than passive learning.
As the construction is an ever-changing technical world, Caxton has to ensure its apprentices are equipped to face that challenge.
Unlike traditional day-release models used by many colleges, Caxton Academy runs six-week block courses, immersing apprentices in daily practice. “After those six weeks, they’ve probably learned as much as they would’ve during nine or ten months elsewhere,” Ivan says. “If you’re doing something repetitively, you’re going to learn faster and produce better quality work.”
The academy’s partnership with Salutem is also playing a vital role in delivering a well-rounded experience. While Caxton handles the construction-specific training, Salutem delivers the core 13 weeks of training over the two years and also provides wider learning in maths, English and personal development. This dual approach reflects Caxton’s belief in nurturing capable fully rounded individuals, not just skilled workers.
“We think of Caxton as a community,” adds Ivan. “It’s really important that we provide young people with life skills, personal skills and core skills that they’re going to use outside of work.”
This ethos is evident in the academy’s culture. Apprentices participate in competition days to hone technique and speed, while also enjoying fun days to break up the intensity of training. The academy also emphasises the company values including trust, respect, integrity and passion: qualities Caxton sees as essential to both personal and professional success.
Apprentice Marcus Thompson outlined his experience: “We have a block release system where we do six weeks of training at the Academy. We learn the basics of laying bricks which gives us the confidence we need to go on-site. College is a friendly work environment, and I don’t feel like I’ve been thrown in at the deep end when I go on site.”
Beyond the classroom, Caxton Academy benefits from strong industry support. With over a dozen sponsors including SIG, SafeStand Ltd, Siderise, The Mortar and Screed Company and AIM; apprentices receive tools, clothing and materials free of charge. Sponsors also deliver specialist training and host factory visits, giving apprentices a deeper understanding of the products they’ll use on site.
“SafeStand provides all the trestle scaffolding free of charge, while AIM supplies fire barriers and visits regularly to train the apprentices,” says Ivan. “This level of commitment shows our young people that the industry believes in them and is fully supportive of progression.”
Looking ahead, Caxton has ambitious plans to expand its offering. The group’s involvement in brick slip cladding has prompted the development of a new curriculum for cladding apprenticeships – an area currently underserved by existing standards.
There are also discussions about taking the academy on the road. With large-scale projects often lasting two years or more, Caxton envisions setting up mobile training hubs onsite in partnership with Salutem, allowing apprentices to learn and work in tandem. “If we can’t get another facility somewhere else, we will put it on the road. This will help to increase the benefits even further.”
The academy’s impact is already being felt beyond Caxton’s walls. Local councils, schools, and main contractors have taken notice, inviting the team to present at events and recognising the academy’s role in elevating standards across the industry. “
Caxton’s commitment to community extends to charity work too. Apprentices have planted trees for the National Trust and cleaned up canals. It’s all part of a broader philosophy that values ‘giving back’ as much as it does ‘building up’.
As the academy enters its second year, the focus is on refinement and growth. The team is therefore determined to keep improving, with a third ‘development year’ added to the standard two-year course to help apprentices transition into fully competent tradespeople, as Ivan highlights: “To put things into context, you can be a learner driver in the morning and pass your test at 12 o’clock, but that doesn’t make you a competent driver in the afternoon. That third year is where we mould them into skilled bricklayers.”
The plan for successful apprentices who qualify will go on to enjoy a career at Caxton Builders – a thriving company working with valued clients including Winvic Construction, Willmott Dixon, Sir Robert McAlpine, Elements Europe, St Joseph Homes/Berkeley Group, Bowmer + Kirkland, Morgan Sindall, Volker Fitzpatrick, Universal Group, Galliford Try, Seddon, Graham Construction, Vinci Building, IHP (Integrated Health Projects) and Tilbury Douglas.
Caxton’s apprentices have experienced numerous high profile events, meeting dignitary’s including Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall at Glasswater Locks with St Joseph Homes, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, and Helene Dearn OBE, interim Director of Employment, Skills, Health, and Communities at West Midlands Combined Authorities (WMCA).
Helene said: “The construction sector is a cornerstone of the West Midlands economy, and as we push forward with ambitious projects for new housing, regeneration, and transport, we must act to meet the rising demand for skilled workers.
“That’s why Caxton Academy is so important, giving people hands-on, high-quality training in the skills that businesses need. It also provides apprenticeships designed to get young talent site-ready from day one. Last year, we invested £14.2m in construction skills training, and we’re working with employers like Caxton to expand apprenticeships and career pathways.
“With youth unemployment in the West Midlands double the national average, we need to bring more young people into industries like construction. This academy offers real career opportunities and directly supports the Mayor’s pledge to create 20,000 learning and work placements. Now, we need more employers to step up, open doors for young people, and invest in the skills that will help build the region’s future.”
And its apprentices Lizzy Allingham and Alistair Corbett have both won the Association of Brickwork Contractors award for Apprentice of the Year.
With its innovative approach, strong values, and unwavering dedication to quality, Caxton Academy in partnership with Salutem is setting a new standard for construction training – in the process building a brighter future for the industry.
Find out more on Caxton’s website. https://caxton-group.co.uk/caxton-academy/ and https://caxton-group.co.uk/apprentice-experiences/.