Building Brighter Futures: Join The King’s Trust in Shaping the Next Generation of Construction Talent

The UK’s construction industry is facing a perfect storm: an ageing workforce, ongoing skills shortages, and increasing recruitment challenges. At the same time, thousands of young people are struggling to find meaningful career pathways—especially those from low-income backgrounds who are being left behind in an increasingly competitive jobs market.

But there’s a real opportunity here. One that could transform both young lives and the future of the construction sector.

That’s where The King’s Trust steps in, with our new initiative: Get Into Construction.

A New Foundation for the Industry

Get Into Construction is a focused employability programme developed by The King’s Trust in partnership with construction employers and training providers. It’s designed to give young people hands-on experience, in-demand skills, and the confidence to take the first step towards a rewarding career in construction.

In short—it’s about building the next generation of skilled workers, from the ground up.

Why Now?

According to the 2025 Youth Index (developed by The King’s Trust and TK MAXX):

• 39% of young people said they had no idea how to find a job after leaving school
• This rises to 50% among those from low-income households
• Over 56% are worried they don’t have the right skills, experience, or qualifications
• That concern increases to 61% among disadvantaged backgrounds

The construction industry has roles to fill. Young people need opportunities. Get Into Construction bridges the gap.

How the Programme Works

Each programme is delivered in collaboration with employer partners, training providers, and youth mentors, and is structured to deliver real, measurable outcomes:

🏗️ Cohorts of up to 20 young people
📋 Programmes co-designed with employers to include work placements, employability training, and sector-specific skills
📅 2–6 weeks in length, with a 12-week lead time for planning and recruitment
🤝 50% minimum job outcome target for each programme
👥 One-to-one mentoring and 6 months of post-programme support to help participants sustain progress

Participants gain not just technical skills but also vital soft skills, confidence, and practical experience that employers value.

What’s in it for Employers?

This isn’t just corporate social responsibility—it’s a strategic opportunity to shape your future workforce. As an employer partner, you will:

✅ Help design and deliver training that meets your business’s needs
✅ Access a pool of motivated, supported candidates ready to work
✅ Demonstrate your commitment to community investment and social mobility
✅ Support a national effort to tackle youth unemployment head-on

Most importantly, you’ll give young people—many of whom have had limited opportunities—a real chance to build a future in your industry.

Let’s Build This—Together

We’re calling on forward-thinking employers across the construction industry to help shape the next generation. If you’re committed to developing young talent, improving diversity, and addressing skills gaps, we’d love to speak with you.

To find out more, please contact:

📨 Richard Growcott
Partnership Development Lead
richard.growcott@kingstrust.org.uk

📞 Or contact our Birmingham Hub on 0800 842842

Together, we can build not just careers—but confidence, communities, and a stronger construction industry for us all.