Career Ready – Think Build

What the Project is

Career Ready received a grant of £87,878 in the 2018/19 Edge Grant Fund to support development of their Think Build initiative.

Career Ready has a long history of delivering employer-lead programmes which give young people access to professional networks and role models. Think Build focussed on introducing young people into the career opportunities offered within the construction industry. Supported by a number of national employers, the Think Build initiative provided nearly 200 young people with access to a mentor working in the construction sector to give them career information and guidance. Students also benefited from a series of masterclasses each related to an employability skill such as:

Students taking part in Think Build also had the opportunity to take up a work experience or internship placement lasting between 1 and 4 weeks with a construction employer.

Taking part in the Think Build programme made students much more aware of the range of opportunities available in construction, breaking down many gender and sectorial stereotypes - 90% of the students on the Think Build programme were from a diverse ethnic background and 30% female. Participation in Think Build resulted in many students embarking on degree apprenticeships within the sector.