As part of our partnership with Places for London on their Educational Engagement Programme (EEP), students from across Construction Youth Trust hubs took part in a week-long work experience placement.

Notably, this marked the first occasion on which Fastned has offered work experience placements through the programme. So this was an exciting week for us all!

During the first of four, Fastned and Places for London (the TfL property company) placements, five students aged 16-18 took part in an immersive initiative focused on supporting London’s transition to Net Zero by 2030. Working on a live project across the week, students examined how electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs operate, explored the five London sites currently in development in the Fastned and Places for London partnership. The students applied logic, imagination and local knowledge to propose a further five potential locations for new off-street EV charging hubs. They also explored how such hubs might evolve into community assets – providing spaces not only to charge vehicles, but also to rest, shop and serve the wider neighbourhood.

The week concluded with students presenting their proposals for five prospective EV charging hub locations to the wider Fastned and Places for London team, both in-person at the London office and virtually. Their creativity and ambition made a strong impression, demonstrating how applied, real-world projects can develop skills, confidence and understanding of the EV and construction sectors.

Feedback from the sessions and the other placements has been overwhelmingly positive. Our young people particularly valued the opportunity to build professional networks with participating employers, and many have reported feeling more confident and driven about their future career pathways!

The programme is supported by Places for London and its Joint Venture Partners – Barratt London, Helical plc, The Earls Court Development Company, Grainger plc and Fastned – and work experience placements are always a highlight.

Construction Youth Trust (CYT) works in local communities across London and North Kent, targeting areas with a high proportion of low-income households and significant construction and regeneration. 

As part of the Educational Engagement Programme, a partnership with Places for London (Transport for London’s wholly owned commercial property company) and its joint venture development partners at Barratt London, The Earls Court Development Company, Fastned, Grainger plc and Helical, CYT is able to increase awareness and understanding of the built environment and connect young talent to inspiring careers within the sector. This three-year programme is investing in a new generation of young Londoners to become the leaders and professionals of the future.