SPEC Finish Opinion: Confidence, skills, and site-readiness (FIS)

The Skills Centre Bootcamps

The Bootcamps which include: Introduction to Cladding occupations, Management and supervision, TfL re-activate, Construct gateway to work and Internal/external insulation and Drylining are intensive, short term training programmes designed to equip individuals with specific, in-demand skills. Typically running for 6–8 weeks, their primary goal is to bridge the gap between the skills employers need and the talent available in the labour market. As the construction industry faces a growing skills shortage, particularly in trades such as drylining, these bootcamps are playing a crucial role in addressing the imbalance between demand and supply.

The Skills Drylining Bootcamp programme is funded by Department for Educations' Skills for Life Bootcamps fund. FIS is actively engaging with The Skills Centre by visiting several of its training locations to observe the programmes in action. During these visits, FIS representatives had the opportunity to speak directly with both tutors and learners about their experiences. These conversations provided valuable insights into the quality of the training and highlighted how the hands-on learning approach is helping participants develop the practical skills needed for the construction industry. Discussions with tutors emphasised the industry-focused expertise being passed on to learners, while conversations with learners offered valuable feedback on how the training is preparing them for real-world work environments.

Beena also spoke Igor Ramos and Ethan Buzor, both previous Drylining Bootcamp candidates, to get their thoughts and experiences on the programme. Read what they had to say here.