Building Futures: Empowering Young People Through Construction Training
In 2024, a £2999 grant from BCBN supported Kent Enterprise Trust’s “Constructing Careers” project—an initiative designed to equip disadvantaged young people in East Kent with the qualifications and support needed to access careers in the construction industry.
The programme provided 11 learners (under 25) with an RQF Level 1 qualification in Construction and the chance to pass the Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E) test—key to gaining a CSCS green labourer card.
Thanks to the funding:
🔹 6 learners earned their CSCS cards
🔹 4 moved into employment
🔹 1 began an apprenticeship
🔹 2 are preparing for resits
This project went beyond qualifications—removing financial barriers and offering a critical pathway to employment and stability. By delivering training at no cost to participants, the Trust ensured that opportunity wasn’t limited by financial means.
The impact is long-term: reduced reliance on benefits, increased local employment, and a stronger, more stable community. The success of Constructing Careers has also strengthened the Trust’s reputation and helped secure future funding—demonstrating the far-reaching potential of grassroots grant-making.
This is real change, made possible through strategic support and local leadership.
