Shaw Trust Construction Academy

The Construction Academy is for you if your job or wellbeing has been directly impacted as a result of Covid-19. This includes:

• Losing your job.
• A reduction in your hours and/or salary.
• You have suffered from a decline in your health and wellbeing as a direct result of Covid-19.

We can support anyone regardless of ability or experience in Construction.

Through the Academy you can receive careers planning and guidance support, Construction specific training, opportunities to gain work experience, on-the-job training as well as wellbeing support to help you overcome any barriers that are preventing you from entering  training and/or gaining employment.

Training and support activity will be provided through a range of blended approaches including remote engagement, to self-directed learning through our CPD platforms and face-to-face where required.

Pathway support available includes:

• Careers planning and guidance.
• Accessing construction training.
• Work experience.
• Employment training within current role.
• Undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship (pre-apprenticeships for young people).
• Wellbeing support.

If you require functional skills (English, maths or digital skills) to be able to complete any qualifications and training we can also provide this.

A Learner Support Fund is also available to those with significant financial barriers to help with travel costs, internet, childcare, IT equipment or learning materials.

• Support provided is bespoke to you and your needs.
• Clear pathways of progression based on your interests.
• Support is at your own pace – time at the Academy will depend on your goals.
• We work in partnership, not in competition, opening up a variety of opportunities for you to progress.
• We provide a wraparound service of support with care, compassion and understanding.
• Our staff are dedicated and highly-skilled practitioners in construction, enabling them to guide you with expert knowledge in your development.
• A Learner Support Fund is also available to those with significant financial barriers to help with travel costs, internet, childcare, IT equipment or learning materials.

To be able to access this service, you must be: 

• Unemployed with an interest in working in the construction sector. 
• Not in full or part time education, employment or training.
• A legal resident of the UK.
• Aged 16 years + 

Or 

Are currently working in the Construction sector but: 

• Have had your salary/ hours/role reduced as a result of Covid-19 
• Are at risk of redundancy as a result of Covid-19 
• You are a person on low income (below £17,374.50 per annum specify or London living £21,157.50).

If you are interested and feel you meet the above eligibility criteria, please provide us with a bit more information about yourself through our self-referral form. Please click here to complete our self-referral form.

A dedicated Engagement Officer will get back to you and arrange a further discussion and to carry out your enrollment and you will then be allocated one of the following based on your needs:

• A Tutor in Construction.
• Learning Mentors for wellbeing support.
• Progression officer for careers planning, guidance and accessing further training opportunities/employment.

If you have any queries please contact ConstructionAcademy@shaw-trust.org.uk.

The Construction Academy is part of Shaw Trust’s Academies simultaneously:

• Addressing skills gaps and staff shortages within the health and social and construction sectors 
• Supporting those in deprived areas of England reducing unemployment rates
• Driving up professional standards
• Supporting employers to increase and improve workforce standards

The Construction Academy is being fully mobilised through CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) funding over a three-year period until Mar 2024. 

The CAF Resilience Fund exists to help charitable organisations in England that support the people hardest hit by Covid-19. This fund will initially distribute more than £19 million made up of grants ranging from £10,000 to £100,000 to deliver rapid relief from the impact of Covid-19. Click here to find out more about the CAF Resilience Fund.