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A long-standing partnership between Leeds College of Building (LCB) and construction firm BAM has been shortlisted for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards \u2013 one of the most high-profile events in the education sector.<\/p>\n
The prestigious annual awards recognise those who are shaping a highly skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce through their commitment to apprenticeships and wider training and development.<\/p>\n
Judges named the collaboration a finalist in the \u2018Best Partnership in Training\u2019 category, which highlights employer\u2013provider partnerships that have delivered exceptional outcomes in apprenticeship and skills development.<\/p>\n
From over 650 nominations, judges unveiled a shortlist of 94 training providers, employers, colleges and universities for this year\u2019s FE Week and AELP Apprenticeship and Training Awards, in association with City & Guilds.<\/p>\n
Sarah Sunderland, Head of University Centre at Leeds College of Building, said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled at reaching the finals of next year\u2019s Apprenticeship & Training Awards. Getting recognition from judges in one of the most sought-after awards events on the education calendar is a testament to our incredible staff at LCB and our outstanding partners at BAM.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe began working with BAM in 2016, gradually building a mutually beneficial relationship. Today, this partnership has helped hundreds of students, the education sector, and the wider construction industry \u2013 a phenomenal achievement of which we\u2019re extremely proud.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
BAM UK & Ireland is also shortlisted in the Large Employer of the Year category. Andrea Fisher, BAM\u2019s Early Careers and Professional Development Manager, said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBeing shortlisted alongside Leeds College of Building is a fantastic recognition of what true partnership can achieve. By combining BAM\u2019s industry insight with LCB\u2019s outstanding training expertise, we\u2019ve created apprenticeship pathways that genuinely change lives and strengthen our sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud of how far this collaboration has come, and even more excited about the talented people it continues to bring into our industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Starting as bespoke block-release apprenticeship programmes tailored to BAM\u2019s specific needs and a first cohort of 40 apprentices in 2017, the programme has evolved to meet the requirements of the Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician, Quantity Surveying, and Construction Site Supervisor standards.<\/p>\n
Over the following years, the partnership has led to exciting new qualifications, including a BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering Site Management Degree Apprenticeship, accredited by Leeds Beckett University. This was the first degree apprenticeship ever offered at the LCB\u2019s University Centre.<\/p>\n
The partnership\u2019s success in meeting the industry\u2019s demand for advanced qualifications also led to the extension of progression pathways \u2013 including the Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship, validated by franchise partner, London South Bank University (with accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Building).<\/p>\n
LCB\u2019s higher education provision is now growing rapidly, in no small part due to this innovative partnership with BAM. The first pilot degree apprenticeship in 2022 enrolled just nine students (two of whom were female); by September 2025, there were over 230 degree apprentices at LCB \u2013 an unbelievable growth rate of 195% over 3 years.<\/p>\n
BAM has also been shortlisted in the Large Employer category of the awards, which recognises employers that have shown exceptional commitment to apprenticeship and workplace training programmes.<\/p>\n
National finalists will now attend a celebratory reception at the House of Lords on 9 February 2026, hosted by The Rt Hon Baroness Morgan, before heading to the award ceremony at Liverpool\u2019s ACC on 3 March, which concludes The Apprenticeships and Training Conference 2026.<\/p>\n
Visit the LCB website<\/strong><\/a> for more details about the construction and built environment apprenticeships on offer.<\/p>\n
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