Khadir, aged 24 from Westminster, was determined to pursue a career in plumbing. However, he felt disconnected from the construction and built environment sector, believing he had no useful contacts or access to opportunities. To tackle this barrier, we set Khadir up on our Building Opportunities programme, which allowed him to see a future in his aspirations.

To kickstart the programme, we organised for Khadir to take part in a work experience placement with our employer partners to give him a real-world taste of careers and make sure he was pursuing the right path for him. As part of this, he experienced the office environment at a local firm. While he enjoyed the experience, it confirmed for him that he was far more suited to a construction site environment – aligning with his original career ambition.

With more certainty of his career goals, Khadir thew himself into the programme, taking part in activities such as mock interview workshops and CV masterclasses where he learnt how to best present himself in a professional manner and learned new presentation skills. These sessions gave him the opportunity to meet with several employers, gain valuable insights into what interviewers look for, and receive practical advice so that he was better able to pursue his goal in the world of work.

Recognising his potential, Khadir’s CYT coach identified an employer specifically seeking a plumbing assistant. They encouraged Khadir to put himself forward for the opportunity. Drawing on the skills and confidence he had developed during the employability sessions, Khadir performed exceptionally well and successfully secured the role!

Khadir has now been in the position since January and is absolutely thriving! We’re delighted to have matched such a driven individual with this opportunity and can’t wait to track Khadir’s journey as he progresses.

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 Building Opportunities programme targets young people in our hub areas who are studying at college and looking for career guidance. It is designed to support these young people to take positive next steps towards rewarding careers in the construction and built environment sector that are well suited to their individual abilities and interests.