Knight Build Limited(KBL) having become a member of the Prince's Trust in 2011 and having participated in a number of charity events to fund-raise for the Trust, decided to raise the bar and in partnership with the Prince's Trust develop a programme to actually help young people to get employed.
The Prince's Trust and Knight Build had been in discussions for a number of months prior to the launch of the "Get into Construction" Project in January 2013.
In the months prior to the launch of the “Get into Construction” Project, Knight Build and the Prince's Trust worked together in partnership to develop and carried out the project, hoping that the project would support development and progression of young people within the construction sector.
“Get into Construction” was delivered as a phased project and consisted of Knight Build working with 12 young people (aged 18 – 25) for one-month; providing 2-weeks of training and 2-weeks of work experience.
Candidate Selection
The Prince's Trust invited a number of young people each day to a two day session to what is called the Employability Sessions.
At the end of these sessions, 20 - 25 candidates went forward onto the "Taster Day" and final interviews at Knight Build's Victoria Street venue.
Taster Day
Morning Session: to outline the content of the two-weeks training and the two-weeks work experience that Knight Build would provide.
Afternoon Session: each candidate was interviewed by a two person team comprising of a representative of Knight Build & the Prince's Trust. There were two interview teams and by the end of the process we had found 12 young people to spend the month with Knight Build on the “Get into Construction” Project.
Get Into Construction Project
– Phase One:
23rd January and 15th February 2013 at the Hans Place Project, London SW1X and a training venue hired at Victoria Street, London. SW1H.
Morning Sessions: Classroom and theory sessions at the Victoria Street venue which included tea's, coffee's and lunch.
Afternoon Sessions: Practical sessions at our Han's Place site in the afternoon.
The training programme and sessions were as follows:
- CSCS training leading to taking and passing the Health & safety touch screen test.
- Providing insight into the construction industry based on the activities carried out by Knight Build Limited.
- One day first-aid training (external CITB trainer)
- Providing knowledge of equipment used within the construction industry and the basic knowledge of how to use it (presented by GAP Group)
- Guidance of working at height and training of how to use a harness.
- Erection of alloy towers and podiums (external CITB PASMA Trainer)
- Explaining the role of the site engineer, the equipment used and an introduction to drawings and schedules.
- Safe excavation, the avoidance of cable strikes and the use of a cat scanner.
CLICK HERE FOR PHASE ONE - Week One Training Schedule
CLICK HERE FOR PHASE ONE - Week Two Training Schedule
Get Into Construction Project
– Phase Two:
We then provided 2 weeks of work experience for each of the young participants between 18th February and 1st March 2013; using all of our London sites with the trainees put under the care and supervision of the Knight Build site manager.
During both the classroom and site sessions, managers from the Knight Build Limited London Projects cane along and joined in the sessions answering questions and providing the benefit of their experience on the tasks’ being undertaken and on the first afternoon, Knight Build's Managing Director, Mr John Knight met the young people at the Han's Place site and explained the concept of the project, the health and safety requirements to complete the project and answered all of their questions - also confirming that those that completed the "Get into Construction project and shoes willingness, going forward would be offered full-time employment with Knight Build Limited.
Project Outcomes:
All 12 young people who were offered places on the programme completed the course and gained CSCS cards and on-site work experience both of which are invaluable when seeking work in the construction industry. Additionally some of the young people also received certificates for completing the following training:
- PASMA, First
- Aid at Work
- Certificate from GAP Group to state they had received tuition on certain items of plant and equipment.
Of the 12 young people that commenced the “Get into Construction” work-experience phase of the programme:
Eleven completed the programme with a CSCS card and one or more of the above certificates.
One person didn’t complete the KBL programme as he had been offered an apprenticeship with Ealing Council.
Four of the "Get into Construction" trainees were offered full-time employment with Knight Build.
Three have accepted the offer
