Construct a Career is a solution to the skills shortage in the UK construction industry, this new programme is in partnership with the Wates Group
Wates currently has a number of live sites across Brent that will offer job opportunities for graduates of Construct a Career.
The British construction industry is facing a major recruitment crisis with 168,500 workers needed in the next five years. The Construct a Career initiative is the result of the collaboration between training organisation Cidori and construction recruitment specialist O’Neill & Brennan.
The programme includes:
- Construction of 149 new homes for Brent Council to offer independent living and temporary accommodation at Knowles House on Longstone Avenue.
- 10 year housing management programme to improve the council’s social housing stock.
- Construction of 732 new homes at Wembley Park, with another 633 under construction.
The Construct a Career programme, combining pre-employment training and employment opportunities, took place in Brent from 20-31 January and offers a solution to this growing industry-wide issue.
Construct a Career offers candidates free training to ease access into the industry and ensure they are fit to work. By partnering with contractors and local councils, Construct a Career provides a solution to Section 106 obligations, placing local people in work while meeting the training requirements of their clients.
With candidates gaining an opportunity to sit their CSCS test and access a blend of face-to-face and online training, the scheme means that Construct a Career graduates will be certified to work on building sites across the UK. This will include access to hundreds of registered vacancies on local contracts and further afield.
31 January saw the 15 candidates complete their training in Brent, building on the national Construct a Career programme.
Diversity and inclusion
Su Pickerill, group community investment manager, Wates, said: “We have a big skills gap in the construction industry and we are really keen to become a more diverse and inclusive sector.
“This kind of programme brings an opportunity to raise awareness about the construction industry and the vast range opportunities in it. It also opens opportunities for people that may not have considered construction before.”
