New Real Estate Academy to Address Skills Shortage Set for Derby Launch

Places for People Group, the parent company of Igloo Regeneration, has unveiled plans to open a new real estate academy in Derby to tackle a growing skills shortage in the sector. The academy, set to open in Pride Park next year at Centro Place, will offer apprenticeships and vocational training to help bridge the gap in essential trades roles across the UK housing industry.

The academy’s focus will include electrical installation and repair, joinery, and property maintenance, alongside leadership, management, and customer service training tailored to the housing sector. A partner organisation will provide additional training in gas, plumbing, and roofing. The academy will also deliver vocational courses in health and safety, solar installation, heat pumps, and other skills in the future.

Academy director Tom Arey highlighted the critical need for quality, relevant training, stating that the facility will help meet the shared ambition of building more homes. The academy will actively recruit apprentices from local communities, aiming to attract diverse talent to the sector. Arey also noted the academy’s collaboration with organisations such as Homes England, CITB, and the newly established Skills England, aligning with government initiatives to improve opportunities.

The academy will begin welcoming expressions of interest ahead of its official opening next summer, although limited spaces are available.