Shayne joined our Building Opportunities programme when he was 16 years old and approaching his GCSE exams. He was struggling to identify a clear career path and had little knowledge of the construction and built environment (C&BE) industry. However, he was keen to explore his options for when he was ready to enter the world of work.

We arranged a five-day work experience placement with a local employer to enable Shayne to learn about the practical side of the industry and try his hand at scaffolding and landscaping. By being on site Shayne was also able to speak to industry volunteers including engineers and surveyors. With the opportunity to gain direct experience of what it’s like to work in the sector and be part of a dynamic on-site team, Shayne learnt an incredible amount about the industry in just a few days.

Having taken a particular shine to the role of the engineer, Shayne came back to us with a buzz of motivation to research his next career steps with his CYT coach and ensure he’s in the best position possible to secure an opportunity on finishing school.
We are delighted to have been able to connect him to such a transformative opportunity and look forward to supporting him in his next steps towards an inspiring and rewarding career.

*Name changed to protect young person’s anonymity

Building Opportunities includes targeted support for young people aged 14-16 at risk of not making a successful post-16 transition. It centres on 1-2-1 coaching and ongoing employer engagement. The ultimate goal of this programme is to support young people to transition into sustainable employment, education or training (EET) outcomes that are meaningful to their aspirations.