Abingdon & Witney College expands Bicester Campus to meet growing demand for construction training

Abingdon & Witney College is expanding its Bicester Construction Skills Centre, increasing opportunities for apprentices and industry professionals to gain high-quality training in construction and building services.

Since opening in 2021 with investment from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), the centre has reached full capacity, with over 200 apprentices currently enrolled in Plumbing & Heating, Gas Engineering, Property Maintenance, and Carpentry & Joinery. To meet growing demand, the College is now expanding into an additional unit in Bicester, allowing more apprentices to enrol and increasing opportunities for local employers to upskill their workforce.

New Electrical Installation Apprenticeships & Industry Upskilling

As part of the expansion, Electrical Installation apprenticeships will be introduced in Bicester for the first time, broadening the range of career pathways available in the construction industry.

In addition to apprenticeships, the College is also committed to supporting industry professionals through upskilling and re-certification courses. Gas and Electrical engineers can access training to stay up to date with the latest regulations and technologies, ensuring they continue to meet high industry standards.

A Commitment to High-Quality Training

This expansion builds on the College’s strong track record in construction training, with apprentices earning regional and national recognition in competitions and awards. Ofsted has also graded the College’s apprenticeship provision as Outstanding, reflecting its commitment to high achievement rates and industry-leading training.

The development in Bicester is part of the College’s wider strategy to advance construction and building services training, which includes:

• Expanding Green Construction Skills – Growing the Net Zero Skills Hub and delivering green construction training with five district councils.
• Increasing Training Opportunities – Successfully launching Skills Bootcamps, equipping learners with in-demand construction skills.
• Developing Industry Leadership – Introducing a Construction Management apprenticeship and HNC to support career progression.
• Enhancing Full-Time Study – Expanding provision for 16–18-year-olds, including the new T Level in Planning, Design, and Surveying at the Abingdon and Witney campuses.

With this expansion, Abingdon & Witney College is strengthening its role in shaping the future of the construction workforce.