Lisa Perkins - Ace Training Co Ordinator

27/05/2026

📣 So May happened!

✨ This month's highlights include The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards with Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills and The Institute Of Carpenters yearly AGM.

🤝 We also held our Employers open day, visit from Casa Environmental Services Ltd . who did 2 amazing sessions with our Apprentices and of course our bi-weekly meet ups with the Bicester Super Groups! (drop me a message if you're interested in coming to our next visitors meeting)

ACE Training

12/05/2026

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and an important reminder that mental health matters every day, both in education and in the workplace.

At ACE Training, we know how important it is to create an environment where young people and staff feel supported, listened to and able to talk openly. That’s why Lisa and Katie are trained Mental Health First Aiders through Mental Health First Aid England.
In industries like construction, conversations around mental health haven’t always come easily. But times are changing and awareness, recognition and early support are more important than ever. The same is true for teenagers navigating education, work, social pressures and everyday life.

Sometimes, simply checking in, listening without judgement, recognising when someone may be struggling and encouraging them to seek support can make a huge difference.

At ACE, we are committed to helping build confidence, resilience and a culture where it’s OK to talk.

24/04/2026

21/04/2026

📣 Our next Employers Open Day is Saturday 9th May, 10AM - 4PM! ACE Training

🧰 This event is opportunity to come and see our workshops, chat with the team and the return of our special guest Dan Aitchison from the NEST team at CITB.

🤝 We’ll be on hand to answer any questions about Apprenticeships and we are also keen to hear about how things are going on sites and any barriers you might be facing with the potential of taking on L2 and L3 on the tools Apprentices.

Register via our event brite link or just come along on the day!

Join us for a day filled with networking, tour our workshops, and gain insights into construction Apprenticeships.

24/03/2026

11/03/2026

📣 I was given another great opportunity to talk about Apprenticeships and ACE Training this morning.

🧰 This time with the amazing Bicester Chapter of Grafters Super Groups! If you're looking for a Construction Based Networking Group who actively work together on projects give Sonny Uppal Ba(Hons), CeMAP, CertCII, a shout for details on our next visitors event and how to join us.

🤝 We're here to make Apprenticeships make sense for you and your business. Happy to chat either person on site, here at the centre or over the phone to see how we can help grow your team and add new talent to our industry.

06/03/2026

Finishing off the careers celebrations this week for Women in Construction Week alongside National Careers Week!

We are proud to highlight some of the talented women training at our centre - Pre-Apprentices Bibi, Faith and Roxy, and Apprentice Riley & Izzy. They are proving every day that construction and the trades offer exciting, skilled and rewarding career paths for women.

If you are a Year 11 female student thinking about your next step, why not come and see what it’s all about?

📅 Open Morning�🗓 Saturday 14th March�⏰ 10:00am – 12:00 noon�📍 Visit our centre, meet the team and explore our workshops.

Trades are for everyone - and the industry needs more talented women like you!!!

05/03/2026

It has a busy and inspiring day for our Marketing & Communications Manager, Gemma Scrivener!

Today, she spent the day at Whitelands Academy, delivering a series of engaging careers sessions.

As an Enterprise Adviser with Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills Gemma is passionate about showcasing the diverse careers in construction and the pathways available at ACE Training. She is also a big skills champion and enjoys delivering insightful sessions on soft skill development, a crucial element for success in education, employment and all areas of life!

Today’s highlights:
✅ Delivered an assembly to Year 7 & 8 students on what soft skills are, how we use them in a whole range of jobs and getting them to begin to identify their strengths in this area.

✅ Helped organise the Year 9 Human Library with a diverse range of guests (including our own Lisa Perkins - Ace Training Co Ordinator ) to help inspire and inform students.

✅Wrote and delivered four Year 11 lessons on developing soft skills for further education and employment.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Human Library. A great way to celebrate - inspiring the next generation and shaping future careers!