Our free Budding Builders course offers the OCN accredited Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction, CSCS Card training, and support with progression routes into the construction industry. 

The Budding Builders programme supports young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and helps them gain the skills and experience required to access employment opportunities in the construction industry. During the course, students complete a health and safety qualification that is structured around a practical project which introduces hands-on skills such as Carpentry, Tiling or Painting and Decorating. Community enfranchisement is a key aspect of the Budding Builders courses, so practical projects include building bat boxes for schools, benches for local parks or renovating community spaces. Throughout the programme, we provide students with opportunities to engage and interact with construction employers, with a view to gaining work placements and job opportunities, as well as improving these students’ employability skills. 

 

How it works

The Budding Builders programme operates from our Training Centre in Bermondsey. If you are aged 16-30, not in education, training or are currently unemployed and looking to re-skill, then we can help.
 
  • Half-Day ‘Taster’ session - You will come and visit the centre, participate in a practical activity and receive information, advice and guidance.
  • 8 day ‘Budding Builders’ course 
    • You could gain an industry recognised accredited Health & Safety qualification    
    • CSCS training and funded cards
    • A visit to a live construction site
    • Basic construction skills training
  • One-to-one employability and progression support
    • Preparing you for the workplace and ensuring you are work-ready and understand the expectations of potential construction employers.
    • CV support
    • Supporting you to achieve your CSCS card
    • Brokering work experience placements and job opportunities

Find out more about our Budding Builders course by watching our video:

Who can join a course?

Anyone aged 16-30 in England and Wales who is not currently in full time employment, education or training, or who is referred to us from an agency. 

Speak with your parents, teachers, careers advisor, or another person you trust about joining our courses. We work with all sorts of referral agencies (that's an organisation like a school, a youth offending team or a college, for example) and we're happy to talk to anyone about our work and the ways you can get involved.

What happens when you finish a course with us?

We will work with you to plan out the next stage on your journey. We have amazing links with the construction industry and so we are able to arrange different types of progression routes to suit you:

  • Work experience or placements - we can help get you some real on site experience
  • Employment and Apprenticeships - we will support you to source and apply for employment in the industry or into an apprenticeship

      Our courses are accredited by The Open College Network

Case Study

  • Steven

    Site Operative

    Steven was first referred to the Trust by a trusted referral agency based in Romford. At the time he was NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and struggling to find meaningful employment.

    Steven was very keen to begin the course as it gave him the opportunity to learn basic painting & decorating skills as well as work towards his CSCS card. Steven showed a great attitude whilst on the programme, impressing his tutor with his practical skills considering his limited experience.

    He proved himself to be a punctual, hard-working individual; highlighted in him completing the Level 1 Health and Safety award as well as passing his CSCS test first time around.

     

  • John

    Bricklaying

    John was 17 when he was referred to us by a local Prison Service. Recently released, he was looking to leave his past behind and build a better future.

    We enrolled him through a Budding Builders course, where he was introduced to Tiling. John worked very well with the other students and improved his communications skills. He sailed through the Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment with us and gained his CSCS card.

    We brokered a work placement for him with one of our industry partners to help him find out exactly which area of construction he would like to pursue as a career. John was extremely excited that after the successful placement, the team offered him a full time job. Still with them, John is now a bricklaying apprentice and is absolutely thriving! 

    “I can’t thank everyone enough at Construction Youth Trust for believing in me even though I’d been in trouble. They’re so supportive and taught me so much. They showed me how I could change everything for myself. I was a bit nervous at first about going on site but then everyone was so welcoming.”

    *Name has been changed to protect confidentiality