A leading housing provider has reinforced its commitment to apprenticeships as Wiltshire College & University Centre continues its ambitious 150 in 100 campaign to create 150 new apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days.
Jess Scull, Early Careers and Apprenticeship Lead at Aster Group, recently visited the college’s Trowbridge campus to tour its construction and trade workshops, including plumbing and heating, carpentry and electrical training areas.
Aster Group currently employs apprentices who are training with Wiltshire College & University Centre across key construction trades. The housing association was also named Large Business Apprentice Employer of the Year at the college’s 2025 awards.
During the visit, discussions focused on ensuring apprenticeship programmes continue to reflect real industry requirements and evolving workforce demands.
Steve Gingell, Head of Construction at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said: “It was great to welcome Aster Group to our Trowbridge campus and showcase the high-quality facilities our apprentices train in.
“As we drive forward our 150 in 100 campaign, partnerships like this are vital. By working closely with employers, we ensure our apprentices develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours industry is looking for.”
The campaign aims to encourage more employers across Wiltshire to pledge their support by creating new apprenticeship opportunities.
For apprentices like Ollie Savage, those opportunities can be life-changing.
Ollie, 22, from Salisbury, was recently named Carpentry Apprentice of the Year at the college’s Apprenticeship and Work Placement Awards. He is completing his Level 2 Site Carpentry Apprenticeship while working for SJ Butt & Sons.
“The apprenticeship has been quite a good thing for me because I was never very academic at school,” he said.
“I've come out of education and achieved this and I’m very proud of myself.”
Ollie added that having the right support from his employer had made a significant difference to his progress.
Jess Scull said the partnership between Aster Group and the college plays an important role in supporting the next generation of skilled workers.
“Our partnership with Wiltshire College & University Centre is incredibly valuable to us,” she said. “Working closely together allows us to support learners in a meaningful way and ensure they develop the skills our industry needs.”
Wiltshire College & University Centre is now calling on more employers to join the 150 in 100 campaign and help create the next generation of skilled professionals across construction, engineering, health, digital and other key sectors.
More information is available at www.wiltshire.ac.uk.
Photo captions
Image 1: Steve Gingell, Head of Construction at Wiltshire College & University Centre, shows Jess Scull, Early Careers and Apprenticeship Lead at Aster Group, around the Trowbridge campus construction and trade workshops.
Image 2: Ollie Savage receives his Carpentry Apprentice of the Year award at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Apprenticeship and Work Placement Awards.
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