Celebrating Plymouth graduates and growing Vistry partnership at Sherford Skills Training Centre

Eleven learners from the Armed Forces community have graduated from the Building Heroes Plymouth Academy, marking an important milestone in their journey towards new opportunities in construction and civilian life.

The graduation took place on Thursday 9 July at the Sherford Skills Training Centre in the new town of Sherford in Devon, delivered by Building Heroes Education Foundation in partnership with City College Plymouth and supported by Vistry, partnering sponsor of the academy.

The event brought together learners, charity representatives, training partners, industry supporters and local stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of the latest cohort. Certificates were presented by Major General (Retired) Rich Spencer, Patron of Building Heroes Education Foundation, with Richard Tucker MBE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, also attending to support the celebration.

This final graduation of the academic year brings the total number of Building Heroes learners graduating from the Plymouth Academy to 66 over the past academic year, demonstrating the continued impact of the academy in supporting veterans, service leavers, reservists and military family members across Plymouth and the wider South West.

Building Heroes supports the Armed Forces community to access practical training, recognised qualifications, employability support and onward progression into civilian careers. Its academy model is about more than construction skills alone. It provides a supportive workshop environment where learners can build confidence, strengthen their wellbeing, develop new friendships and recognise how the skills gained through military service can transfer into civilian opportunities.

For many learners, the academy provides an important bridge between military and civilian life, combining high quality practical training with the information, confidence and support needed to take the next step in their resettlement journey.

The graduation also highlighted the growing partnership between Vistry and Building Heroes at Sherford. Vistry was instrumental in the establishment of the Sherford Skills Training Centre and has remained a committed supporter of the Building Heroes initiative from the outset.

Having been a trusted partner of Building Heroes since 2022, Vistry now supports four academies across the charity’s national network. As partnering sponsor of Building Heroes’ delivery at Sherford, Vistry’s continued support demonstrates the strength and value of this relationship and reflects a shared commitment to improving social mobility and creating meaningful opportunities for the former service community.

The Sherford Skills Training Centre sits at the heart of Sherford, the new town being delivered by the Sherford Consortium – a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry, which includes Countryside Homes, Linden Homes, and Bovis Homes. Representing a £1bn investment, the Sherford Consortium is creating 5,500 quality homes, alongside schools, community facilities, shops and extensive green space. With 1,500 new homes occupied, Sherford is becoming one of theSouth West’s most vibrant new communities.

Major General (Retd) Richard Spencer, Patron of Building Heroes Education Foundation, said: “Transitioning to civilian life is one of the most significant challenges our service leavers face, and programmes like this make all the difference. It is genuinely inspiring to see these graduates equipping themselves with vital, practical skills; skills that will serve them, their families and the nation for years to come. It was an absolute honour to be involved in a small way today and my congratulations to every one of them.

Opportunities like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of the hard work, dedication and vision of the Building Heroes team, and excellent partners such as Vistry and City College Plymouth, who share their commitment to the Armed Forces community. It is a privilege to support an organisation that delivers such tangible, lasting impact for our service leavers.”

Peter Tannian, Regional Managing Director for Vistry, Devon and Cornwall, said: “This graduation is a proud moment for everyone involved in the Building Heroes partnership at Sherford. The ArmedForces community brings exceptional qualities to the construction industry – including discipline, teamwork and determination and these graduates are a great example of how those strengths translate into new civilian careers.

“We have worked alongside Building Heroes for years and the partnership has gone from strength to strength, supporting academies across the country and hundreds of learners.The Sherford Skills Training Centre was created to open up opportunities like these, and it is rewarding to see it continuing to deliver real outcomes. Sherford is a long-term project to build a new town, so it is fitting that itis also helping people build new futures.”

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Jackie Grubb, CEO and Principal of City College Plymouth, said: “We are proud to work alongsideBuilding Heroes and Vistry to provide opportunities like this that help members of the Armed Forces community build successful civilian careers. The graduates at Sherford have shown real commitment and resilience, and it is inspiring to see them gain new skills and confidence to assist them in their future careers. 

City College Plymouth has supported the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence, the wider defence industry, and supply chains with training, Apprenticeships, and specialist programmes for over 50 years, directly addressing the needs of theArmed Forces and its highly valued personnel during that time. Partnerships like this one demonstrate the positive impact education and industry can achieve together for individuals and our region, and it’s wonderful to see the Sherford Skills Training Centre making a real difference.” 

Since 2022, Vistry has supported over 600 Building Heroes learners across its sponsored academies, helping members of the Armed Forces community access practical training, recognised qualifications and transition support as they prepare for civilian careers. The Sherford graduation celebrates the achievements of the latest 12 learners, while also recognising the wider impact of the partnership between Building Heroes, Vistry, and City College Plymouth in supporting social mobility, skills development and successful civilian futures for the former service community.

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