Eighteen-year-old Tom, from Barking and Dagenham, had a keen interest in the construction industry but was unsure about the career pathways available to him. As he approached the end of sixth form, he was eager to build professional connections and find a route that suited his skills, but wasn’t sure where to begin.

Through our Pathways to Professional Careers programme, we introduced Tom to the diverse opportunities within construction by enrolling him in our three-day Building Future Skills programme. Working as part of a team, he tackled a project brief that was presented to a panel of industry experts on the final day. Each team member took on a different role—Tom stepped into the shoes of a sustainability manager, and his team won! Throughout the project, he engaged with professionals such as quantity surveyors, architects, and site managers, gaining first-hand insights into their careers and the various routes into the industry.

Following this, Tom had an eye-opening conversation with a site manager who attended a session led by his coach. They discussed the role in detail, and Tom received valuable advice on how to break into the field. He realised that site management aligned perfectly with his skillset, and he could see himself in that position.

To help him make an informed decision, we arranged a five-day work experience placement with one of our employer partners. This gave Tom a real taste of working on a construction site, where he shadowed site managers, monitored project progress, and helped coordinate schedules for different trades.

Tom returned to his coach determined to secure an apprenticeship in the field. We supported him to strengthen his employability skills through CV-writing workshops, mock interviews, and assessment centres. Tom successfully navigated multiple interview stages, applying the techniques he’d learnt through our programme, and secured an apprenticeship with a highly reputable construction company. He is now thriving in his new role!

Construction Youth Trust works in local communities across London and North Kent, targeting areas with a high proportion of low-income households and significant construction and regeneration.

Our Pathways to Professional Careers programme supports students (aged 16-18) interested in pursuing professional pathways, with a priority focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups. Research shows that young people from well-off backgrounds are 80% more likely to be in a professional job. Pathways aims to level the apprenticeship playing field, helping young people overcome barriers and access rewarding higher-level and degree apprenticeship opportunities and professional careers.