At 18, Katerina from Barking and Dagenham had a strong interest in architecture and was keen to pursue a career that would allow her to use her creativity. Like many young people, she assumed that university was the only viable path into the field. She wanted to explore other options, particularly apprenticeships, while simultaneously building up her employability skills and CV. That’s when she joined our Pathways to Professional Careers programme for help taking her first steps into the world of work.

Working closely with her CYT coach, Katerina discovered various roles linked to architecture, including design engineering and Building Information Modelling (BIM). She was also developing professionally – creating a CV, participating in mock interviews, and expanding her knowledge of the industry by networking with industry professionals.

As part of our Pathways programme, Katerina completed a work experience placement at a construction company, where she shadowed a design manager, attended meetings and reviewed technical drawings. This hands-on experience shifted her interest more towards design and BIM, as she appreciated the collaborative and coordination aspects of these roles, which she felt architecture lacked.

Katerina went on to participate in our Building Future Skills programme, which offered her further insights into working in construction through teamwork, adopting different industry roles, and delivering a presentation to a panel of experts. This experience was instrumental in boosting her confidence with public speaking and further exposing her to networking with professionals in design management and technical roles, confirming her shift in career focus.

With a clearer direction, Katerina worked closely with her coach to research and apply for apprenticeships in the field. We connected her to an opportunity with one of our employer partners, Dornan Engineering, and supported her in applying. Using her newly crafted CV and interview skills learnt from our programme, she excelled in the interview and secured the role. She’s set to start her exciting new chapter this month!

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.