Applications Open for the B&CE Charitable Trust’s Construction Employability Award 2025-26

Organisations committed to improving access to construction careers are invited to apply for the prestigious Construction Employability Award (“the award”) 2025/26, offered by the B&CE Charitable Trust¹.

Now in its eleventh year, the award provides £25,000 in funding to a UK-based organisation that demonstrates a strong commitment to accredited training and employability in the construction sector.

Nicola Sinclair, Head of the Charitable Trust, said: “We are proud to continue supporting organisations that make a real difference in the construction industry. The Construction Employability Award is about more than funding – it’s about enabling people to start and sustain meaningful careers in construction.”

Last year’s recipient, CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training C.I.C (“CarringtonLIME”)2, used the award to expand its fully funded national Heritage Plastering programme.

Based in Gloucestershire, CarringtonLIME trains over 300 students annually in the ancient art of lime plastering, helping to preserve vital heritage skills and offer clear pathways into the industry.

Speaking about the impact of winning the 2023/24 award, CarringtonLIME’s Director, Kate Kerslake said: “Securing this funding has greatly enhanced both the capacity and credibility of CarringtonLIME, as well as positively influencing the wider heritage industry. There’s a strong interest in joining the industry, but many face barriers to entry. The Construction Employability Award has enabled us to create a clear pathway for trainees, and the impact on our students so far has been truly remarkable.”

“We’re now at the halfway point of the programme, having successfully delivered the first course. The level of interest has far exceeded our expectations, and thanks to the Construction Employability Award, we’re excited to be able to offer a second Heritage Labourers course later this year.”

Applications for the 2025/26 award open on 15 September 2025, and close on 10 October 2025. The winner will be announced in December 2025. Eligible organisations are encouraged to apply via the B&CE website and sign up to the newsletter for updates.

For further information, please contact the Charitable Trust press office or visit the award page.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. B&CE’s 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 more than £4 million in charitable donations over the past 30 years. Over the course of the last decade, the Trust has helped multiple businesses who’ve demonstrated their commitment to improving employability in construction, including mental health and wellbeing, mentoring to disadvantaged young people and youth unemployment. First called the Mowlem Award, the award’s name was changed in 2023 to better reflect the purpose of the award.
2. CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills C.I.C was established in 2020 as a Community Interest Company in response to the UK’s shortage of Heritage Building Skills. They are now the largest provider of lime courses in the UK, running courses throughout the year in a dedicated training centre. They are the only course provider that offer progressive courses that take students from complete beginner all the way to professional with formal qualifications. More information about the Heritage Plastering programme can be found on the CarringtonLIME website.

For further details, please contact Sarah Puttock, press officer at the Charitable Trust on 01293 205004 or sarahputtock@peoplespartnership.co.uk.

For interview requests, please contact Kate Kerslake, CarringtonLIME on info@carringtonlime.co.uk.