diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index ede4a4c95..4e51f20f9 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -27,11 +27,17 @@ build_18_1:
     # build using Java 17
     image: eclipse-temurin:17
     artifacts:
-      name: "Merged_NightlyBuild_1_18_1-${CI_COMMIT_SHORT_SHA}-${CI_COMMIT_TIMESTAMP}"
-      paths:
+        name: "Merged_NightlyBuild_1_18_1-${CI_COMMIT_SHORT_SHA}-${CI_COMMIT_TIMESTAMP}"
+        paths:
         # relative to the root directory
         - Merged
-      expire_in: 1 day
+        expire_in: 1 day
+    cache:
+        key: "gradleCache"
+        policy: pull-push
+        paths:
+            - .gradle
+            - cache/
 
 # 1.18.2 build
 build_18_2:
@@ -46,7 +52,12 @@ build_18_2:
         paths:
             - Merged
         expire_in: 1 day
-
+    cache:
+        key: "gradleCache"
+        policy: pull-push
+        paths:
+            - .gradle
+            - cache/
 
 
 # unused deployment stage