Places for London and training partner The Skills Centre has trained more than 10,000 people through its Construction Skills Programme.
Delivered since 2019, Places for London’s Construction Skills Programme trains people at its network of five academies, which are equipped to train people on a range of skills to help people into the construction industry, including dryliners, formworkers, and steelfixers.
The training available includes in-work National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), apprenticeships, trade‑based skills to specialist courses.
Learners can also work towards gaining their Constructions Skills Certifications Scheme (CSCS) card – a nationally recognised accreditation. The Green Plant Academy allows people to learn how to operate a range of construction vehicles, with a focus on zero and low emission vehicles to help demonstrate innovation and best industry practice.
The Skills Centre also aims to create “innovative ways” to bring training to building developments and train those local to the building sites, helping potential workers play a role in the communities they live in.
Following training, learners have gone on to work on developments across the city, including on Places for London’s housing developments and other sites being brought forward by its construction and development partners.
Places for London’s Construction Skills programme has also given schoolchildren work experience placements, and talks, helped adults consider careers they may not have previously considered and bringing diversity to the workforce.
Laura Miller, Senior Construction Skills Manager at Places for London, said:
“We’re delighted to have reached this amazing milestone. Training ten thousand people is a huge achievement and together we have introduced people to a vast range of new skills and careers, allowing them to leave their mark on the city. As the industry continues to address the skills shortage, we’re helping to provide a new, diverse generation of skilled workers to the built environment sector, who are building the homes London needs.
Jon Howlin, CEO at The Skills Centre, said:
“Many of those we’ve trained come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in construction. By opening the door to practical, life-changing careers, we’re not just helping people into work — we’re building a more inclusive, skilled and sustainable workforce for London.
“From pre-employment bootcamps to in-work NVQs and apprenticeships, we’re giving people the tools they need to thrive in a fast-evolving industry — one that urgently needs fresh talent to help deliver the homes and infrastructure we need.
“The success of this collaborative model has also enabled The Skills Centre to expand into areas like Essex and the West Midlands, where we’re now transforming even more lives across the UK.”
Rainbow Moonah, former trainee and Construction Technician at the Build East Skills Centre, said:
“I encourage anyone who’s thinking about going for a role in construction to do it – it’s a vast industry and the training can help you get your foot in the door. I really enjoyed doing this course which has opened up my career to new possibilities and I’m looking forward to doing more!”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said:
“I’m delighted that this pioneering programme has supported 10,000 Londoners to gain new skills and training in construction, with thousands of Londoners securing jobs and careers that will not only help London to grow but deliver more of the homes that we urgently need.
“With the majority of learners coming from underrepresented backgrounds, this programme supports our mission to tackle inequality across key sectors and harness London’s diverse pool of talent as we work to build a better, fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”
Image courtesy of Places for London
