The employment team at Cheltenham-based BPE has designed two modules for AccXel, the UK's first co-funded, industry-led construction school.

Following four years of research and case study reviews into the skills and opportunities available in the industry, AccXel was founded in 2020 and benefited from a £1.96 million grant via the Getting Building Fund together, with over £1m of private funding from local construction firm, K W Bell Group Ltd.

The school in the Forest of Dean will facilitate a cross-sector network of learning opportunities, enabling the development of higher-level skills and creating a coherent higher education presence for the construction industry.

BPE partner Heyma Holmes and associate Steve Conlay have worked with Nicola Bird and Natalie Bell of AccXel to design two modules.

Heyma and Steve will deliver the modules, focusing on delivering HR and successful leadership modules for construction site managers, as part of AccXel's initiative to tackle the skills shortages that the construction industry is currently facing.

AccXel's rollout of its unique Skill STEPS courses starts this month, with Heyma and Steve delivering content and courses from May 2022.

Heyma Holmes, BPE partner, said: "Delivering training is something we really enjoy, so to be able to work with Nicola and Natalie to design these modules and deliver them has been a huge privilege.

"This is an exciting project and we're looking forward to seeing the next generation of construction managers develop under AccXel's ideology and values."

Nicola Bird, founder and managing director of AccXel, said: "The HR law module that BPE will deliver is an integral part of our Skill STEPS programme, as it will help to build knowledge, confidence and understanding of construction-specific legal situations that many managers face.

"Having Heyma and Steve's support has been hugely reassuring and we are excited to look to developing further modules with their input."