Partnership to help build 'talent pipeline'

A university is launching a new apprenticeship programme to equip future quantity surveyors with housebuilding-specific skills.

Teesside University is collaborating with major UK housebuilders Persimmon Homes and Bellway Homes to develop a Level 6 degree apprenticeship tailored for the housing sector. 

The initiative supports the Government’s target to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and addresses a gap in specialised training for quantity surveyors focused on housebuilding. 

Joanna Burgess, director of professional apprenticeships at Teesside University, said: “This is a fantastic example of how Teesside University is responding to not only the needs of our industry partners, but the needs of the Government’s strategic priorities around housebuilding.

“We are taking a leading approach in our support of the housing sector, listening to their requirements and working collaboratively to develop a solution. 

“Through this engagement with industry we will deliver work force skills contextualised to the specific needs of housebuilding.”

Set to start in January 2026, the new programme aims to upskill the workforce and boost economic growth, with other housing firms invited to join the partnership.

Laura Cooper, head of operational development at Bellway Homes, added: “Bellway is delighted to build on our existing partnership with Teesside University to develop a housebuilding-specific degree apprenticeship in quantity surveying.

“This collaboration will help with aligning education more closely with the unique needs of the housebuilding industry. 

“By tailoring the apprenticeship to the demands of housebuilding, we can ensure that learners gain highly relevant, practical skills while helping to build a stronger, more ‘work ready’ talent pipeline for the future.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to attract new talent, support progression and reinforce the value of vocational pathways into the sector and we look forward to sharing more as the programme develops.”

Scott Waters, managing director of Persimmon Yorkshire, added: “I am delighted Persimmon will be working alongside Teesside University and Bellway Homes to develop a new qualification focused on quantity surveying within the house building industry.

“At Persimmon we are fully committed to bringing high-level skills and knowledge into the industry, while providing our apprentices with a strong foundation for future success. 

“This partnership achieves both of these goals, and we are excited to see it come to fruition.”

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