Bicester Construction Skills Centre

A new £1m construction training centre in Bicester

It's not just the state of the art facilities, ample parking and access to a full range of tools and materials that make our brand new training centre impressive. We have a full staff of industry experts with extensive experience in a range of trades. They know how it feels to be at the beginning of their career and what it is to continue to develop their skills in a changeable and competitive environment. They're on hand to encourage those just starting out, and to advise and guide more established tradespeople on legislation and re-assessment.

Gas Training and Assessment (ACS) Centre

Our top of the range, brand new gas training and assessment centre contains all the facilities you need to gain the accreditation and certification you need to work as a domestic gas engineer.

Did you know?

Our impressive centre started life as an empty warehouse!

We spent over £30,000 on tools to ensure our learners have access to everything they might need.

Some of our learners helped build the training bays.

You can call us on: 01235 541 111

Apprenticeships & Part Time Courses

Specialising in plumbing, gas engineering, carpentry and property maintenance. You can train for a new career, recertify a qualification, or gain some DIY skills.

If you're an employer looking to recruit an apprentice, click here to see how we can help

Take a video tour of the centre

The centre houses the type of industry-standard equipment that apprentices will find in the workplace, including a professional gas centre, electrical training bays for wiring regulation training and a large carpentry workshop.

A wide ranging offer...

Our brand new, facilities are complemented by highly experienced and inspirational tutors who are passionate about their area of expertise and wholeheartedly committed to supporting learners to achieve.

For employers: We work closely with employers of all sizes to ensure that the skills we are teaching are up to date and reflect those that are needed in your business. Whether you want to employ an apprentice or find a reliable and high quality training organisation to upskill or re-accredit existing staff members, then we can help.

For apprentices: If you want to develop a career in the construction sector, then our centre can help to connect you to some of the very best employers in Oxfordshire and beyond. Our award-winning apprenticeship team will support you throughout your apprenticeship and will help you to kick start a long-lasting career in your chosen industry.

For the community: Our centre also provides training for individuals who want to develop their own DIY skills, or who perhaps want to try something new before considering a change of career.

Staff Profile: Graham Hill

Graham joined the teaching community thirteen years ago having previously been a gas engineer for twelve years. He also managed teams of gas engineers as well as managing a gas training and assessment centre.

Since becoming a lecturer, he has mainly trained and assessed level 3 plumbers and gas engineers, as well as trained and/or assessed qualified gas engineers returning to renew their qualifications.

"I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to help design the new gas training and assessment centre in Bicester. I am currently installing the equipment which will support the apprentices learning experience. I am looking forward to meeting the local employers and their apprentices who will join our new centre when it opens.

We are building some of the best facilities in the area which will support the students’ learning and provide them with the widest possible experience in the industry.

The apprentices will have access to some of the latest appliances and training material thanks to direct links with manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch."

Staff Profile: Robert Laslett

Robert started his career as an apprentice wood worker at British Rail. After completing his indentured apprenticeship he was given a position in the production workshop, where he improved his machining and manufacturing skills, which also involved the programming of a CNC router. He also spent time in the joinery making doors, windows and railway joinery.

Robert left the railways and went into teaching so he could pass on the skills that he had learnt to a new generation of carpenters. Firstly, he worked for Manpower forum where he learnt how to assess NVQs and gained an assessor qualification and internal verifiers award, and achieved a Cert Ed through Bedford University.

"I enjoy being able to pass skills and knowledge onto a new generation of carpenters, and the buzz I get when they complete work on their own to a high standard. I also like building relationships with the students and watching them grow in confidence both in their carpentry skills but also as young people ready for the workplace.

They can grow as a person, improving their confidence and social skills learning from other students, qualifying their understanding through activities and practical application within the classroom and workshops. This builds the camaraderie between students making for a positive learning experience."

Staff Profile: Mark French - Centre Manager

Mark is a qualified engineer and plumber who spent a number of years working in industry before moving into Further Education nine years ago as a Technician/ Trainer. He taught a mix of full-time students and apprentices at level two and three. He moved on to become Apprenticeship Manager at Abingdon and Witney College, covering areas including construction and engineering.

After a period as Interim Head of Apprenticeships he is now responsible for leading the innovative new Construction Skills Centre in Bicester.

"The best thing about working at the college is working closely with apprentices and employers to help them achieve their goals, whatever their backgrounds and previous experience. As a former apprentice myself I remember that so much of the knowledge I gained at college was not relevant in the workplace, so making sure that we deliver high quality training that makes a difference in the workplace is really important to me.

Particularly for apprentices who are working in SMEs, college provides the opportunity to talk to other apprentices in similar positions to get a broader understanding of how it feels to be an apprentice. For some students it can also be a really big jump into the workplace, and college provides a really important bridge between school or full-time college, and work.

Mark Hurley

Mark has over 30 years in the construction industry, with experience of running his own business. He's always always wanted to pass on the skills and knowledge that he acquired during his time in the field of carpentry. He appreciates both sides of the business having taken on two apprentices when he ran his own business, he knows what employer's are looking for.

"The best aspect of teaching at the College is that lightbulb moment!

When you explain to a student a different method, or how to achieve a certain task an easier way, and you see them 'get it' and understand the process.

I think the most important benefit a student can get from coming to College is the practical skill set of our courses, where they can stand back and see the end product of their achievements."

Morgan

Level 3 Carpentry & Joinery: Site Carpenter

I did the Level 2 Site Carpentry course and am now on the Level 3 programme.

I work for Sporn Construction in Bicester, as they handle a lot of restoration work, they felt that me being qualified in traditional skills such as: cut roofs, staircases, as well as complex roof structures would be an asset to the company.

The College has really helped me develop my skills; the knowledgeable staff give me confidence that I’m learning the correct skills. The staff are very knowledgeable and 'firm but fair'!

Adam

Level 3 Carpentry & Joinery: Site Carpenter

I’ve already completed my Level 2 Site Carpentry and have now progressed onto the Level 3 programme.

I work for Benfield &Locksley Construction, in Oxford. They’ve been very supportive as far as they are concerned a qualified workforce is an asset!

I’ve really enjoying the course there’s lots of opportunities to challenge yourself; last term we had to teach the Level 2 students, and that helped me to build my confidence, to get organised and focus on how to communicate a problem and then demonstrate how to solve it!.

Your future career

Carpenter

Architectural Joiner

Gas & Boiler Engineer

Plumber

Course Listings

Core Gas Safety (CCN1): Re-assessment plus appliances

Part Time XSBR105P

This course will provide you with the certification you need to continue to work as a domestic gas engineer. Candidates must already hold the CCN1 certification to take this course.The course is 5 days in total. 2 and a half days training, and 2 and ...

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