London’s buildings account for 70% of the capital’s carbon emissions – your career can make a real impact on climate change.
New workers with green skills will be needed to make this shift a reality. That means real job security!
There is a growing number of industry groups to support diverse workers in the sector.
The built environment is the second highest paying sector in the UK.
The Digital Twins Skills Academy is an emerging EdTech vehicle for ‘positive’ social change and everything we do is founded in promoting greater equity, diversity, and inclusion, for all. The DTSA Programme (16-25yrs) and 50+ is our signature offer at the DTSA, which was built on the myriad failures of the UK construction industry [i.e. Grenfell Tower] and is designed
“The construction industry is vital to the UK economy and provides many different roles and opportunities for people from all walks of life”.
“Young people can get first-hand experience on site, to test out whether they like the construction industry and what it offers”.
“We can help young people and new entrants really understand and be prepared for the workplace of today and what employers are looking for”.
“Truly thankful for the opportunities .. we have been involved in fantastic projects which have been really interesting”
Whatever your background, the built environment has a wealth of accessible, rewarding and inclusive career offers to grow and thrive in.
Brhane arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied child refugee aged 14. Undeterred, he studied hard and won an apprenticeship with Durkan. Brhane was Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year in 2023.
He didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived from Eritrea, he had no family or friends here. His prospects may not have seemed great. But in just four years this determined and resilient young man has learnt English, completed a Level 2 qualification in Plumbing and Heating and then a L3 in Electrical Installation in 2020 during lockdown.
Brhane loves working in construction. Working in the industry ensures he is constantly learning new skills and carrying out new tasks. Now employed by Hanover Building Services, a leading electrical and mechanical contractor, Brhane is proud of having carved out his own future – moving from child migrant to the point where he is now a qualified electrician.
Moving cities with her mother to escape domestic violence didn’t help Mia. Anxiety, depression and the loss of close friend led Mia to a dark place. But she pulled through and became a Runner-up in the Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year Awards 2022.
Against her troubled background, with considerable drive, resilience and determination Mia has now embarked on a career in construction. She enrolled at a training college and she soon discovered she had a natural talent when it came to practical lessons. The construction activities became really important for Mia, and her college tutors said she made excellent progress, especially in painting and decorating. Mia has achieved a CSkills entry Level 3 Introduction to Painting and Decorating and hopes that this will be the beginning of a brighter future.
Lola’s start in life wasn’t great. There was a family history of abuse of alcohol and drugs. Lola has battled her own mental health demons and drug issues. But she found her forte studying at Preston Vocational College. She was interested in construction skills and wasn’t phased by the idea of making her way in a male dominated industry.
At PVC she completed a Level 1 City and Guilds course in Construction, with a distinction in bricklaying. Her tutors were impressed by the high standards she set herself and her commitment to her studies.
Lola hopes to move on to an apprenticeship in bricklaying or plastering. She’s excited to see where her career in construction will take her and one day wants to be her own boss. She started work experience with Wilmott Dixon in summer 2022.
Reiss’s journey to be Young Builder of the Year is a tale of triumph over adversity. The loss of both of his parents hasn’t prevented him shining as one his company’s rising stars.
Despite the challenges thrown at Reiss he has made incredible progress since starting with Barratt Developments in 2019, beginning as Commercial Apprentice. Through hard work and dedication, combining work with study at Solihull College and University Centre, Reiss achieved a Level 4 qualification in Construction Surveying.
He hasn’t missed a day at work and his hard word work was recognised by promotion to Trainee Quantity Surveyor, Assistant QS and then to Quantity Surveyor.
We first met Victoria when she was 17 – she had a real passion for sustainability but didn’t know how to turn this into a meaningful career.
Through Pathways to Professional Careers, we opened Victoria’s eyes to the breadth of ‘green’ career and apprenticeship pathways in the built environment sector. Victoria’s Construction Youth Trust (CYT) coach connected her to a range of inspiring industry volunteers, including a Social Sustainability Manager working directly on her organisation’s social and environmental policies. This encounter was a real turning point for Victoria, helping her realise that she could pursue a rewarding career in construction that would involve actively tackling the climate crisis.
At first, I didn’t know a lot about the industry but through CYT’s programme I met so many industry professionals who taught me that construction isn’t just bricklaying, and there are so many roles available.
