Innovative construction partnership reaches apprenticeship awards final

A long-standing partnership between Leeds College of Building (LCB) and construction firm BAM has been shortlisted for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards – one of the most high-profile events in the education sector.

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.

Judges named the collaboration a finalist in the ‘Best Partnership in Training’ category, which highlights employer–provider partnerships that have delivered exceptional outcomes in apprenticeship and skills development.

From over 650 nominations, judges unveiled a shortlist of 94 training providers, employers, colleges and universities for this year’s FE Week and AELP Apprenticeship and Training Awards, in association with City & Guilds.

Sarah Sunderland, Head of University Centre at Leeds College of Building, said:

“We’re thrilled at reaching the finals of next year’s 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.

“We 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 – a phenomenal achievement of which we’re extremely proud.”

BAM UK & Ireland is also shortlisted in the Large Employer of the Year category. Andrea Fisher, BAM’s Early Careers and Professional Development Manager, said:

“Being shortlisted alongside Leeds College of Building is a fantastic recognition of what true partnership can achieve. By combining BAM’s industry insight with LCB’s outstanding training expertise, we’ve created apprenticeship pathways that genuinely change lives and strengthen our sector.

“We’re incredibly proud of how far this collaboration has come, and even more excited about the talented people it continues to bring into our industry.”

Starting as bespoke block-release apprenticeship programmes tailored to BAM’s 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.

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’s University Centre.

The partnership’s success in meeting the industry’s demand for advanced qualifications also led to the extension of progression pathways – including the Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship, validated by franchise partner, London South Bank University (with accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Building).

LCB’s 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 – an unbelievable growth rate of 195% over 3 years.

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.

National finalists will now attend a celebratory reception at the House of Lords on 9 February, hosted by The Rt Hon. Baroness Morgan, before heading to the award ceremony at Liverpool’s ACC on 3 March, which concludes The Apprenticeships and Training Conference 2026.

See the full list of finalists on the FE Week article or visit the LCB website for more details about the construction and built environment apprenticeships on offer.

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Image caption: LCB staff address BAM apprentices at a recent college induction event.