Support for UkraineLocal Partnership Secures Work for Construction Sector Career Changers
A new partnership between Skills and Learning Adult Community Education (ACE), Whitehead Ross Education and Consulting (WRE), and Wates Construction successfully delivered a ‘Build Your Career’ programme, securing employment opportunities for local career changers to move into the construction sector.
‘Build Your Career’
The ‘Build Your Career’ programme was developed in response to a growing need for construction-related pre-employment training in the BCP area. Wates Construction, with a strong social value policy, collaborated with local providers to create a comprehensive training programme aimed at unemployed adults and career changers.
Hands-On Training and Support to Transition into Construction Jobs
Participants received hands-on employment and skills training provided by Skills and Learning ACE, including construction sector CV writing, interview preparation and information on construction job roles.
WRE provided Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card training at a local community centre in Bearwood. Successful completion of the examination will equip participants with the necessary CITB accredited health and safety card, and knowledge required to work across UK construction sites.
Real-World Experience and Practical Support for Participants
Participants also received 5 free pieces of Personal Protective Equipment provided by Wates as well as the opportunity to visit their Hillbourne Project site in Poole, where they experienced a site tour and gained some real-world experience with their supply chain partners.
Wates Host Course Participants at Project Site in Hillbourne,Poole.
Voices from the Project: Leaders Reflect on the Partnership’s Impact
Nicky Ellison, Project Manager for Skill Up BCP, said: “We are really proud to be part of this partnership of 3 innovative companies, Wates, Whitehead Ross and Skills and Learning playing to our strengths to optimise opportunities. Since the summer, we have worked together to create a model that supports local people to improve their skills, aspirations, and ultimately find employment.”
Emma Stewart, Skills Manager at Whitehead Ross Education, highlighted the organisations role in delivering CSCS card courses and supporting participants through their exams ‘It has been fantastic to work in partnership with Wates and Skills and learning to deliver the CSCS part to this initiative, and we are proud of the employment successes and opportunities as a direct result of the program for its participants.
Whitehead Ross is excited to build on this partnership with future initiatives to support the local employment and skills needs following the success of this program.”
Wates Construction acknowledged the importance of working with local providers, Katherine Jones, Social Value Manager for Wates, stated: “The ‘Build Your Career’ programme was built out of a need in the Poole community for construction-related pre-employment programmes. Together with Skills and Learning and Whitehead Ross, we created an initiative that empowers local unemployed adults.”
Programme Results: Early Successes and Progression into Employment
The pilot programme, delivered over three weeks, was funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and has already shown promising results. Several participants have successfully progressed to second interviews with supply chain partners, and three participants have already been confirmed to receive jobs and will be starting on site soon, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in addressing local employment needs.
Helen Wilkins who together with Tiphaine McConnell trained the participants in how to tailor their CVs and how to approach construction interviews said “It was a real privilege to work with these Participants, they were so keen to learn new skills, update others and support their move into a construction career.
Expanding ‘Build Your Career’ to New Sectors and Opportunities
The partnership has set a strong foundation for future initiatives, where leveraging each organisation’s strengths has proven to provide valuable career opportunities and support supply chain organisations to recruit.
We are always looking to foster collaborations with local employers and businesses to create more employment pathways. We are particularly interested in working with employers who have job vacancies from IT support sectors. We are already thinking about the next Build Your Career.
For further information, please contact Nicky Ellison, Skill Up BCP Project Manager on SkillUp@salbcp.com
About Skills and Learning ACE
For over 25 years, we have been providing adult education provision to Dorset. We are a customer-focused organisation an are working with local communites, partner orgranasations and employers to provide opportunities to change people’s lives for the better through learning. Throughout the years, our team of organisig staff and teaching & learning staff has grown to enable us to offer more subjects and courses to Dorset’s adults and young people.
Whether you’re a potential learner, local employer, or community organisation, we’re here to help you grow. From employment programmes like Build Your Career to a wide range of adult education courses, our team is ready to support your next steps.
📧 Email: enquiries@salbcp.com
📞 Call: 01202 123444
