Construction pathways programme engages 400 young people in London schools 

Construction pathways programme engages 400 young people in London schools.

As UK unemployment reaches 1.78 million¹, the Construction Workers Charitable Trust (formerly B&CE Charitable Trust) (the Trust)² has confirmed its continued support for a major social‑mobility programme that is already helping more than 400 young people progress towards careers in built environment in London, while addressing skills shortages in the construction industry in the UK

Through its longstanding relationship with Construction Youth Trust (CYT)³, the Trust is providing strategic funding for CYT’s 2024–26 Pathways programme, which connects young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds with skills development, work experience and direct employer engagement.

Since 2011, the Trust has awarded more than £160,000 to the charity. Funded programmes have included immersive sessions centred on built environment careers as well as intensive courses supporting young people to access qualifications such as the Level 1 Health & Safety award. The Trust has also helped fund CYT’s Pathways programme, which is aimed at tackling the barriers that disadvantaged and underrepresented young people face to entering the rewarding careers being offered by industry. This is also having a positive impact in addressing the industry’s widespread skills shortages, as well as attracting the next generation of young and diverse talent at a time when representation from lower income backgrounds remains low across the construction workforce

Since 2011, the Trust has awarded more than £160,000 to the charity. Funded programmes have included immersive sessions centred on built environment careers as well as intensive courses supporting young people to access qualifications such as the Level 1 Health & Safety award. The Trust has also helped fund CYT’s Pathways programme, which is aimed at tackling the barriers that disadvantaged and underrepresented young people face to entering the rewarding careers being offered by industry. This is also having a positive impact in addressing the industry’s widespread skills shortages, as well as attracting the next generation of young and diverse talent at a time when representation from lower income backgrounds remains low across the construction workforce

This support comes at a critical time, as social mobility in the UK becomes increasingly constrained with nearly a million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds disproportionately affected.

CYT’s delivery of the current programme is already exceeding previous years, with demand continuing to grow. To date, the charity has partnered with 34 London schools and engaged more than 400 young people – up from 312 last year – with more than 90% coming from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.

Participants have been supported by over 200 industry volunteers, and more than 150 young people have completed five-day industry work experience placements, alongside employer insight days and recruitment events as they progress towards job and apprenticeship applications.

Speaking about funding the Pathways programme, Nicola Sinclair, who Heads up the Trust, said:

“Nearly a million young people are currently disconnected from education or work, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face disproportionately higher barriers to opportunity. For industries like construction and the built environment, which face long-term skills shortages, the answer lies in high quality, employer led pathways that prioritise long-term career progression.

“By investing time in meaningful training and high-level qualifications, young people can be supported into sustainable careers that they remain committed to. Construction Youth Trust’s Pathways programme demonstrates the value of walking alongside individuals throughout their journey, helping them build skills and confidence to carve out clear career trajectories.

“Crucially, getting young people into stable work early also enables them to start saving into a workplace pension, allowing them to start building strong financial foundations for life.”

Construction Youth Trust Chief Executive, Carol Lynch said:

“We are so grateful for the support Construction Workers Charitable Trust and deeply appreciative of their support over 15 fantastic years. Their backing has made such a significant difference, enabling us to support many more disadvantaged young people to access careers and opportunities in the construction industry they may otherwise have missed out on.

“The Trust’s recent investment in our Pathways programme has been transformational. It has helped us to develop a model we believe is a genuine game changer, both in the short term and as a long-term driver of social mobility, by supporting more disadvantaged people to benefit directly from professional jobs and apprenticeships in the industry. We are thrilled with what we have accomplished together and look forward to building on this success. Thank you.”

Marking 35 years of experience in the construction sector, the Trust continues to prioritise funding that supports social mobility, improves representation and helps build a resilient future workforce.

ENDS 

Notes to editors

1. UK labour market statistics – House of Commons Library
2. The Construction Workers’ Charitable Trust (formerly B&CE Charitable Trust) was set up in 1991 to give back to the construction industry by providing help for people working in construction in times of need, including grants towards education, financial support and retraining. It has given out nearly £5 million in charitable donations over the past 35 years. Over the course of the last decade, the Trust has helped a wide range of businesses across the UK who’ve demonstrated their commitment to improving employability in construction, including mental health and wellbeing, mentoring to disadvantaged young people and youth unemployment.
3. Construction Youth Trust is a well-established charity that inspires and supports diverse young people (aged 16-18 years old) to achieve their full career potential, with a priority focus on young people from low-income backgrounds, those under-represented in the workplace and/or those facing significant barriers to employment. We achieve our mission by connecting young people directly with a wide range of employers, careers and opportunities within the construction and built environment sector and supporting our beneficiaries to overcome barriers and take a positive next step on their journey to a successful and rewarding career.