EKC Ashford College and Bauvill have committed to their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Based in Rochester, Bauvill is a main contractor covering the South East and London region.
The MoU reinforces both organisations’ shared commitment to delivering high-quality training, learning, and employment opportunities for students across Kent.
Max Scally, who is the Pre-Construction Director at Bauvill, said: “We’re at a critical stage for our industry right now, the skills gap has never felt more pressing, and it’s something we can’t afford to ignore.
“Partnering with EKC Ashford College is about more than just addressing that in the short term. It’s about building a sustainable pipeline of young talent into the industry, and having a genuine hand in shaping the curriculum so that it reflects what employers actually need.
“We want to give back wherever we can, and in return, we’re hoping to see some real bright prospects come through to us and get involved in what we do on the ground. That two-way relationship is what makes this partnership meaningful.
“Ashford has been a home away from home for us for many years. We’ve been the longstanding framework provider to the NHS East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and we’re currently delivering a project for Ashford Borough Council right next door to the college. It felt like a completely natural fit.”
With Bauvill’s wealth of expertise across the health, commercial, education, and facilities sectors, the partnership unlocks exciting opportunities for collaboration, giving learners a chance to get hands-on knowledge of their future industry.
Lucy Clark, who is the Principal of EKC Ashford College, added: “We really value these sorts of collaborations and partnerships because it’s important to our young people that we deliver actual experience in the world of work on top of their education if we want them to be successful in the workplace.”