Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading homebuilders, celebrates the graduation of Building Heroes learners from the Hounsome Fields Skills Academy. Located near Basingstoke, the academy was established in partnership with Building Heroes and opened its doors in April 2023.
The Queens award winning charity and its academy model aims to support 72 service leavers, veterans, reserves and military family members each year, specifically those from the local Aldershot Army Garrison, Portsmouth Naval Base, the RAF at Odiham, and other minor units in the vicinity. The Hounsome Fields site, which is being developed in a 50/50 joint venture with Wates Group, was specially selected because of the strong military presence in the area, including the British Army’s Headquarters in Andover.
The academy benefits from Building Heroes’ expertise – in the last four and a half years the charity has successfully trained and graduated over 2,600 military personnel – helping them reskill and redeploy into the civilian workplace with support to access to pathways into employment in the building, construction, and engineering sectors. The programme follows the various stages of a building’s lifecycle and provides valuable skills and employment routes for individuals as they transition from service to civilian life.
Gareth, who is leaving the Army after 24 years in the Royal Engineers, commented: “Through the Army, I am a qualified land surveyor and so have worked on many civil engineering sites during my service. Whilst working on these tasks I found I always had an interest to try other construction trades so the Building Heroes construction skills course has given me the perfect opportunity to explore this.
“The training facilities and stores provided are first class and the ability to learn in a relaxed environment gives everyone the opportunity to progress at their own speed. Overall, I feel very confident I’ll be able to use the skills I have gained moving forward.”
Sparsholt College and University Centre, situated nearby in Winchester and Andover, is the training partner for Building Heroes to support the academy. This collaboration not only supports the local economy but also fosters the creation of sustainable communities.
The learners at the academy undergo a comprehensive five-week programme that equips them with valuable skills and experience in key trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing. At Hounsome Fields, learners will also have access to three of Vistry’s innovative ‘Unwrapped Homes’, where certain elements, such as walls, flooring or ceiling fixtures, are removed in places in order to reveal the inner workings of key construction features, making this course a fully immersive experience.
Upon completion, they receive a Level 1 City & Guild Construction Skills Qualification, a CSCS card, and a Health and Safety certificate. These qualifications provide a solid foundation for further training and open up opportunities in property maintenance, Health & Safety, site and project management, or specialisation in a specific trade.
Adam, who is also leaving after 25 years in service with the Grenadier Guards, said: “I chose to enrol at the Hounsome Fields Academy because I can see myself entering the construction industry once I’ve left the service.
“The course itself has been very interesting. To go from not understanding any kind of construction to being able to put a wall up, instal plasterboard and trained in the basics of plastering has been rewarding.
“The other people on the course have made it amazing and enjoyable, particularly because of the mixture of different backgrounds.”
The Hounsome Fields Skills Academy is a key part of Vistry’s commitment to delivering a minimum of 800 learners through the on-site skills academy initiative by 2025. The Group has made substantial investments in this initiative to address the industry’s skills gap.
Keith Carnegie, CEO of Housebuilding at Vistry Group, commented: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the graduation of our first group of students from the Hounsome Fields Skills Academy. It’s great to see the tangible impact this initiative has made, contributing to local employment and helping to create sustainable communities.
“As we continue our commitment to delivering a minimum of 800 learners through our on-site skills academy initiative by 2025, we are grateful for the support of Building Heroes and our key partners, who share our dedication to making a positive impact. Together, we are building a brighter future for our veterans, our industry and the local community.”
Karen Jefford, CEO of Building Heroes, commented: “Working in partnership with forward thinking organisations will enable Building Heroes to provide new careers into the construction industry for veterans. We are proud to be working with Vistry Group as they not only fully understand the benefits that a military skill set can bring to their organisation but also to support growth that includes building a diverse workforce.
“Our unique academy model will provide local outcomes enabling communities that lead to more innovation and together we can provide an industry with resilient teams. We could not be prouder of our partnership as one that provides a pathway into an organisation who is invested in supporting our military graduates.”
