Organised by the Campaign for Learning, the Learning at Work Week highlights the benefits of continued professional development and helps organisations across the UK showcase how they’re investing in their people.

This year’s theme, “Learning Power”, is all about helping individuals realise their potential through upskilling, knowledge sharing, and curiosity at work.

At Vaughandale, this mission couldn’t be more relevant. Whether we’re training apprentices, upskilling team members, or attending workshops with local partners, we understand that developing our people is the foundation of our success.

Why Learning Matters in Construction

In an industry that’s constantly evolving, ongoing training and development aren’t just important, they’re essential.

New technologies, updated safety standards, and the growing demand for sustainable building practices mean that our teams must stay informed, agile, and adaptable.

But at Vaughandale, learning isn’t just about technical knowledge. It’s about confidence, communication, teamwork, and resilience — qualities that make a difference on site, in the office, and throughout our wider business.

“We don’t see training as a box-ticking exercise — it’s part of our culture. When our people grow, our business grows too.” – Darren – Contracts Director.

What Learning Looks Like at Vaughandale

Over the past year, we’ve seen a number of team members step up to learn new skills and gain valuable qualifications:

Apprenticeship Success

We’re incredibly proud of our close relationship with West Nottinghamshire College, which continues to play a key role in shaping our workforce. Recent apprenticeship milestones include:

• James Mills – Bricklaying Level 2 (Distinction)
• Owen Fell – Carpentry & Joinery Level 2 (Pass)
• Edward Lamb – Carpentry & Joinery Level 2 (Pass)

These achievements reflect our commitment to nurturing young talent and building careers from the ground up.

Developing Future Quantity Surveyors

As part of our ongoing commitment to professional development, we’re also proud to support two Quantity Surveying apprentices based at our head office — one in their second year, and one in their third. These apprentices are gaining valuable industry experience while working towards formal qualifications, combining learning in the classroom with commercial, real-world insight on live projects.

Their roles are a brilliant example of how Learning at Work Week isn’t just about training days — it’s about developing people with the skills and confidence to lead tomorrow’s projects.

“There’s so much to learn, every day brings new challenges but working with colleagues and seeing how projects are managed has been a massive help. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and you learn something new all the time.” – George – Quantity Surveying Apprentice

“The experience I’ve gained at Vaughandale has made a huge difference to my confidence. Everyone is really supportive, and I feel like I’m growing into the role every day.” – Joe – Quantity Surveying Apprentice

Health & Safety and Compliance Training

Our recent training initiatives have included:

• Manual Handling – Focused on safe techniques, spinal care, and injury prevention
• Fire Warden Training – Covering emergency protocols, extinguisher use, and evacuation procedures

Delivered by accredited providers, these sessions ensure our team stays up to date with safety legislation while feeling confident in their roles.

HR Development

Earlier this year, the Vaughandale team members attended the HR Essentials Workshop, hosted by the East Midlands Chamber and led by Loates HR.

Sessions focused on people management, employment law, and building positive workplace cultures — essential knowledge for any business looking to strengthen internal support and leadership.

Looking Forward: A Culture of Continuous Growth

As we celebrate Learning at Work Week, we want to recognise the effort and enthusiasm of everyone at Vaughandale who’s taken the time to upskill, attend training, or mentor someone else.

Learning doesn’t have to mean sitting in a classroom — it happens every day through collaboration, curiosity, and confidence-building.

We’ll continue working with brilliant partners like Vision West Nottinghamshire College, investing in courses that matter, and creating opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and lead.

Because when you invest in learning, you’re not just developing skills — you’re building stronger teams, better outcomes, and a brighter future for everyone involved.