Shadiya, a 17-year-old young woman from Southwark, struggled with low confidence and was unsure which career pathway to pursue after school. Although she had heard about opportunities in the built environment sector, she believed it was a male-dominated field and didn’t see it as a viable option for herself. Determined to explore her options more fully, Shadiya joined our Pathways to Professional Careers programme.

To offer an experiential taste of pathways in the industry, we arranged three work experience placements for Shadiya with our employer partners – including one in Quantity Surveying. These placements captivated Shadiya as she was introduced to inspiring and relatable women in the workplace! After connecting with these female role models in the field, Shadiya was able to visualise herself as a Quantity Surveyor, becoming even more committed to her one-to-one coaching sessions on the programme.

Working closely with her CYT coach, Shadiya worked on perfecting her interview skills and building up confidence for the recruitment process. She also connected with further volunteers from industry, whose insights and motivation solidified her career goal.

With a clear next step in mind, Shadiya attended a CYT Live Vacancy Day hosted by one of our employer partners. During this event, the young people had a chance to ask questions about real-world apprenticeship openings being presented by the employer, as well as taking part in a true-to-life recruitment task. Shadiya used this activity to impress the employer by asking thoughtful questions, exhibiting the skills and confidence she’d developed on Pathways.

As a direct result of the event, Shadiya was offered a Level 6 apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying with the employer! We are so excited for Shadiya and honoured to be a part of her inspiring journey into the industry.

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.