Falcon Three, sub-contractors working on the new Velindre Cancer Centre, carried out its first bricklaying taster day on the nVCCs site with students from Bryn Y Deryn School and Greenhill School. 
Organised by Sacyr UK and Falcon Three, ten students from Years 10 to 12 were given the opportunity to learn the basics of bricklaying.

The students learned what bricklayers do on a real construction site, how bricklaying fits into the construction process and the different types of bricks, blocks and mortar. They were taught about health and safety, how to work safely around tools and materials, why PPE matters and safe lifting and handling techniques.

Students got hands-on with trowels, spirit levels, mortar boards, tape measures and brick jointers and they learned what each tool does and how to handle it correctly, improving their confidence and practical skills.

The highlight for students was learning how to lay bricks in a straight line, creating consistent joints and building a small section of a wall. They practiced working in pairs or small groups, supporting each other with measurements and alignment and communicating clearly to complete a task.

The workshop ended with a short talk about apprenticeships, site roles, progression routes in construction and what employers look for in young people, giving them a better understanding of whether construction would be for them in the future.

Sacyr UK took part in the Techniquest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) World of Work initiative - a two-day event designed to inspire the next generation. 

Over 500 pupils aged seven to 11, from 15 primary schools across South-East Wales attended, all eager to explore the wide range of STEM careers available.

Throughout the event, pupils engaged with employers from across the region, asking questions, discovering new ideas, and taking part in hands-on STEM activities. The aim was to spark curiosity and help young learners see themselves in future STEM roles.

Attendance for all participating schools was fully funded by The Edina Trust, whose support ensures that pupils in disadvantaged areas have access to educational experiences like this one. Their contribution played a key role in making the event both accessible and fun.

Sacyr UK was proud to be part of such an inspiring initiative, helping to create opportunities for pupils and encourage a lifelong interest in STEM. 

Sacyr UK took part in a Post-16 Built Environment Taster Day, organised by NHS Shared Services and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The event was hosted by University of South Wales in Treforest where 30 students from Merthyr and Cardiff and Vale College were shown different higher education options for studying the built environment. Students also had the opportunity to engage with employers in the construction industry. 

As part of the taster day, students were able to get involved in hands-on experiences focusing on the built environment including a measurement competition, ‘build a town’ activity, a building surveying demonstration and learning about valuation. 

The event was designed to give students an understanding of the built environment and the careers that are available in the construction industry.
 

Ashley, Ella and Jack are the first three graduates to complete the Disability Inclusion Academy and have all been interviewed for possible first jobs at the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) site. 

The Disability Inclusion Academy is a collaborative effort between Sacyr UK and the National Diversity Employment and Advisory Service (NDEAS). The initiative supports people who have been out of work due to a disability by providing opportunities for them to take a first step into a career in the construction industry.

The two-week programme invites trainees to learn the basics of the construction industry. Once completed, at least one of the trainees was guaranteed a position with Sacyr UK on the nVCC project team – even though all have been interviewed for posts.

Ashley was the first graduate to be offered a role at Sacyr UK and his mum Sarah had his to say: “Ashley struggled in school and was recently diagnosed with autism. He left with few qualifications and very little confidence. My sister heard about the academy and put me in touch with Hannah, who is on the social value team at nVCC. After a simple questionnaire, Dan from NDEAS called, shared his story, and accepted Ashley onto the programme."

“He was very nervous on his first day, but he hasn’t looked back. By day two Ashley was coming home excited about what he’d learned, talking about Dan and his new friends and by day three he was confidently catching the train on his own. For Ashley to be offered a job is wonderful as it’s on his own merits. They’ve seen his potential, and just being offered the role has boosted his confidence sky high.”

Ashley will now begin his role as Academy Support Assistant carrying out administrative tasks linked to the individual training academies. His responsibilities include managing spreadsheets and internal systems, coordinating programme information and sharing best practice across the academy.

Sacyr UK joined Women in Property and homeless charity Llamau at Cardiff City Stadium to mark International Women’s Day (IWD), representing women in construction. 

Sponsored by Principality Building Society, the event focused on this year’s IWD theme, Give to Gain - a powerful reminder that small, intentional acts of generosity can create a lasting impact.

With 95 women currently working on the construction of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), Sacyr UK recognises the importance of creating platforms where women in the industry can share their experiences and be visible role models for future generations. The event was an opportunity to celebrate achievements, share insights, and highlight the value of inclusive leadership.

The discussion explored how offering time, skills, advocacy, sponsorship or resources can create new opportunities for individuals and organisations. Speakers shared inspiring reflections on how giving has shaped their careers, opened unexpected doors, and strengthened confidence for women and girls. Together, these everyday actions help accelerate progress in female empowerment and representation across the construction industry.

Watch last month's construction progress!

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - March 2026

new Velindre Cancer Center - Newsletter 8

Sacyr UK, the main contractor behind the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has been supporting a Community Impact Initiative (CIC) by donating timber and plaster boards for some of its local projects. 

One of Sacyr UK’s key values is to deliver more than just buildings – but also a lasting legacy for the local communities it works alongside and partnering with local projects and charities. 

To that end, the major contractor has been supporting a Community Impact Initiative (CIC) by donating building materials, in particular timber and plaster, to help with two of the CIC’s transformative programmes: Women Construct Wales and The Sustaining a Legacy project.

Thanks to the efforts of Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Team members Hannah Jenkins and Joanne O’Keefe, the materials will directly support hands-on learning, property regeneration, and skills development for local people.

Hannah Jenkins said: “We’re continually inspired by the work led by Abi Lewis and the wider CIC team, creating opportunities, building confidence, and delivering lasting social value that is making a real difference across the region. We are proud to offer them ongoing support with these projects and will continue to help wherever and whenever we can.”

Staff at Sacyr UK, the main contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), proudly joined forces and donned red with its Velindre NHS colleagues to mark World Cancer Day.
Velindre’s Wear Red campaign returned for 2026, and the Sacyr UK team were more than happy to join in and support such a meaningful initiative. 
The annual campaign encourages people to wear red and make a donation on the same day every year, to help raise awareness and vital funds to fight cancer - as half of the UK population is affected by cancer at some point in their lives, the need for patient support and donations continues to grow.

Every pound raised through the Wear Red campaign is reinvested directly into community programmes and cancer services across Wales, improving the care and support patients receive from the Velindre NHS Trust. 

Sacyr UK continues to support the Velindre NHS Trust not just in the building of the new facility, but also in many fundraising initiatives across the year and will continue to do so. 
 

Kier will be attending the Marketplace Live event at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 24 March 2026. This is an opportunity for potential supply chain partners to meet with the Kier Places team to discuss working with us on the new Velindre Cancer Centre (VCC) project, currently under construction by Sacyr Uk and Ireland and due for completion in Spring 2027, when Kier will commence delivery of facilities management and maintenance services over a 25-year period. 

Whether you are currently engaged on the nVCC project, as an installer or supplier, or not involved but would be interested in working us, we would be keen to discuss future maintenance and service opportunities. 

 
24 March 2026 - 08:30 - 14:00 - Cardiff City Stadium Cardiff CF11 8A

Watch last month's construction progress!

Sacyr UK, the main contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has won New Employer Partner of the Year at ACT Trainings annual awards. Sacyr UK was crowned the winner of the New Employer Partner of the Year award for its work on the Whitchurch site. Members of the Sacyr UK Community Benefits team attended the event to collect the award. The award recognises employers who have gone above and beyond to invest in their staff, through upskilling and training effort.

ACT Training is one of the UK’s leading training providers and every year holds its annual awards to celebrate outstanding learners and the employers that support them. Held at Cardiff and Vale College’s Dumballs Road Campus, the nominees gathered to celebrate and were treated to a slap-up meal and live band. With categories ranging from Apprentice of the Year to Best New Business, young entrepreneurs from across the UK were recognised for their achievements and hard work. Sacyr UK has also been shortlisted for the MIPIM’s Best New Development award for its work on the new Velindre Cancer Centre. MIPIM is the world’s leading property and real estate festival and is held in Cannes every year.

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - February 2026

An innovative collaboration between new Velindre Cancer Centre developer Sacyr UK, Cadarn Housing, Invisible Walls CIC, Cardiff Council’s Onsite Construction Academy, and SGM Waste Management, is aiming to offer ex-offenders the opportunity to start a career in construction.

The Ex Offender Employment Initiative, a pioneering industry program, will offer six ex-offenders with accommodation, mentorship, and employment opportunities on-site at nVCC.

This brand-new programme gives vital opportunities to those seeking a better life upon release from prison, giving them the tools they need to build a new life during what can be an incredibly turbulent time.

This initiative adopts a collaborative, evidence-based approach to reducing reoffending through sustainable employment, trauma-informed mentoring focused on family support, and secure housing solutions.

Katie Hathaway, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager at Sacyr UK, said: “We are very proud to be collaborating with so many forward-thinking organisations to be to create opportunities like these for members of society who are struggling the most.”

“I would like to thank our partners for their effort and dedication to change, and we look forward to developing this initiative further and welcoming participants on site soon”.

Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre has announced the launch of the UK's first Construction Disability Inclusion Academy. 

The initiative, based at the nVCC construction site, by Sacyr UK is designed to support individuals who have been out of work due to a disability by providing a clear entry point into the construction industry.

The academy is a collaborative effort between Sacyr UK and the National Diversity Employment and Advisory Service (NDEAS). The initial two-week programme will introduce up to twelve participants to the fundamentals of the sector. At completion, at least one trainee is guaranteed a position with Sacyr UK on the nVCC project.

The nVCC is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Wales and is scheduled to open in spring 2027. To ensure the site is inclusive for all staff, Sacyr UK has invested in an accessible lift system that provides access to all levels of the build, making it a fully accessible construction environment.

Katie Hathaway, Sacyr UK Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager said: "With the support of Velindre University NHS Trust and Welsh Government, this collaboration has enabled us to develop programmes that create meaningful and sustainable employment pathways for people with disabilities. We are extremely proud to be leading this important initiative".

You can find out more and apply here 
 

Members of Cardiff Council’s planning committee braved the January weather to see for themselves the great progress that has been made at the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project. 

Fifteen members of Cardiff Council’s Planning department and committee arrived at the on-site office of Sacyr UK, the main contractor building the nVCC, to be greeted by the project’s Technical Lead Vincenzo Nigro, and Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Team Manager, Katie Hathaway, for a personal tour of the site.       

The group was joined by Mark Farrar, Director at The Urbanists, the planning consultancy which managed the outline planning application process for the project, including the environmental impact assessments.    

     
Sacyr UK’s Project Director on nVCC Elena Castro Blanco gave a presentation to the visitors about the progress of the project, as well as the sustainable practices and initiatives it has introduced on the build. These initiatives include soil preservation techniques, and use of carbon absorbing Nelco bricks and of course, the recently installed timber frame and exterior panels. 

The committee members and planning department staff were also invited on site, where they were given a guided tour of the construction itself by Technical Lead Vincenzo. He answered the visitors questions, offered insight into the processes used to get to this stage of the build, and explained the next stages of the construction.

          
Community Benefits manager Katie Hathaway said this:

“Its fantastic to be able to bring in Cardiff’s Planning Committee and give them a vision of the pieces all coming into place. We couldn’t be prouder of what we have to show them here.”

Sacyr would like to thank the Cardiff Council Planning Committee for their visit to the nVCC site, and look forward to giving an update visit soon.

Sacyr UK, the main contractor behind the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has partnered with local charity Ray of Light, a Cardiff based charity supporting people with cancer, to raise as much needed funds by supporting the sale of its 2026 calendar.

Ray of Light produce photo calendars every Christmas, featuring stunning photographs of nature taken by its members and clients. The Sacyr UK Community benefits team were impressed by the artistry and care put into the project by staff members and patients alike that they vowed to help as much as they can and took as many calendars back to the nVCC site as they could carry. The target was to sell every single one before the Christmas site shutdown.

Luckily, not much effort was needed as the calendars were snapped up in a matter of days by generous workers across the site, raising more than £100 for the local charity.

Sacyr UK will continue to support local causes like Ray of Light, who work tirelessly to help people experiencing some of the most difficult times in their life.

It's National Apprenticeship Week, a week-long celebration by the UK Government that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. 

In recognition, we checked in with our apprentices based at the Velindre Project in Cardiff.  It’s hard to believe it’s already been 6 months since Sacyr UK & Ireland brought onboard four new apprentices at the Velindre project… Many colleagues now feel the new additions are now part of the furniture, they have embedded into the team that well!

 
As apprentices, Sam (Community Benefits Team apprentice), Lucy (Technical Design Team apprentice), Ollie (Mechanical and Engineering apprentice) and Faith (Financial apprentice) are now reaching the end of their probation period, and we checked in with them to see how they’d been getting along in honour of National Apprenticeship Week.

When asked about his time on the Mechanical & Engineering team, Ollie had this to say: “I’m mostly proud of how much I’ve changed since the first month I’ve been here, which is expected. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to do more important and independent work which I would never been able to do when I first started.”

In the months since they began their adventure with Sacyr, the apprentices have moved up the ranks of responsibility, from shadowing at first, growing to more independent self-maintained pieces of work.

“This is my first time working on a real project so I'm grateful that this apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to be involved in something so meaningful.” Said Technical Design Apprentice Lucy “I'm part of an amazing team that have been really supportive and I'm learning a great deal from them.”

“Every day’s a new challenge, but always in interesting and illuminating ways.” Said Community Benefits Apprentice Sam when asked what they felt about their experience, “It’s nice to be part of building something good”.

We were unable to conduct an in-person interview with Faith as at the end of last year, she was blessed with a healthy baby girl, and as such will be on maternity leave for the coming future. We did however check in with Faith via message, who says she and the baby are well.

Sacyr is proud to see how well its young apprentices are getting on, and looks forward to further developments from our apprentices.

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - January 2026