New Employer Academy: Willmott Dixon
Representatives from RNN Group and Willmott Dixon launched a dedicated Employer Academy at North Notts College last week, introducing exciting new industry opportunities in construction. Through the partnership, students will gain practical insight into major regional developments, supported by work placements, mentoring, site visits, and employer-led workshops.
Founded in 1852, Tier One contractor Willmott Dixon generates approximately £1 billion in annual turnover across England and Wales. Still a family-run business, the firm delivers commercial and civic projects valued up to £300 million. Previous clients include local councils, universities, emergency services, and the Ministry of Defence.
Connecting Education with Industry
By linking college coursework with live commercial developments, the academy ensures training aligns directly with modern industry requirements. Employers actively shape curriculum delivery, instilling workplace habits such as punctuality, teamwork, and initiative alongside technical construction qualifications.
Starting from October 2026, students will gain practical access to Willmott Dixon’s £20 million town centre regeneration project in Ollerton. The major scheme features a multi-screen cinema, modern retail units, residential housing, and public realm spaces.
Simon Hartley, Skills Consultant at RNN Group, explained how the programme accelerates student progress:
“The partnership acts as a bridge between the curriculum and the business world. Rather than completing a course in isolation, students integrate directly with active businesses to launch their careers.”
Routes into Construction
Modern construction encompasses diverse technical roles beyond traditional trades, including project management, quantity surveying, digital engineering, IT, sustainability, and social value. Pathways across the sector range from subcontractor Level 2 trade apprenticeships to fully funded Level 6 management degrees.
After working as a carer and earning a history degree, Emma Jones joined Willmott Dixon’s management trainee scheme in 2024. Now an Assistant Social Value Manager, she emphasised how academic skills apply right across the industry:
“I really do think there is a job for anybody in construction. When we go into schools, there’s not one subject that I can’t relate back to construction in some way.”
Tackling the Skills Gap
Severe industry labour shortages, driven by an ageing workforce and shifting technology, make this initiative vital locally. To tackle this challenge, Willmott Dixon offers North Notts College students internal management traineeships while facilitating subcontractor trade apprenticeships. Varied entry requirements accommodate different qualifications, ensuring accessible routes into professional site management and technical trades.
Having entered the sector 26 years ago as a local council tenant liaison officer, Marie Wilkes is now Head of Social Value for the Midlands at Willmott Dixon. With extensive industry experience, she emphasized the urgency of inspiring the next generation:
“We are losing tradespeople. It’s an aging industry. People have been in the sector a long time and are retiring, leaving a significant skills gap to fill.”
Interested?
Discover how a career in construction can open doors to professional management, sustainability, and technical trades.
Find out more about Construction courses at North Notts College