Case Study: Empowering Women Through Construction Training
We recently hosted a Women’s Only construction bootcamp at the Earls Court Skills Centre with the aim of supporting local women into careers in construction. The two-part course began with two weeks spent at the centre to learn key skills, later culminating in participants taking their CSCS tests to gain their Green Cards. We caught up with a few of the course attendees after their first two weeks to see how they got on.
How did you hear about this course?
Marwa: Westminster Employment Service
Grace: TFL Re-activate Programme through a government agency.
Alexia: I heard about this programme through Catch-22, who sent me a link to sign up if I was interested.
What were you doing before you started this course?
Marwa: I did a first aid at work course, alongside being a carer.
Grace: I freelanced and have been looking for work.
Alexia: Before starting this course I was actively job searching.
I felt supported and listened to. It also gave me the opportunity to broaden my network, connecting with both industry professionals and fellow learners. Alexia
What motivated you to enrol on this course?
Marwa: I want to get into the construction industry and have an interest in health & safety. This motivated me to enroll on this course to gain a CSCS card.
Grace: This particular course was advertised for women only and I was eligible. I've been trying to secure work in my field and have been unsuccessful. I saw this as an opportunity to find out about a new industry.
Alexia: I enrolled because the course offers a work placement at the end which provides a pathway into employment.
What are you hoping to achieve by the end of this course?
Marwa: Obtain CSCS card and help into employment as I have found this challenging.
Grace: Gain more confidence and see what viable opportunities are availale with the work experience I have.
Alexia: I am hoping to complete the work placement and gain practical experience to help me secure a job.
Sandrine: Learn how to adapt to working in a different environment as a long-term career.
How have you found your 2 weeks at the Earls Court Skills Centre?
Marwa: Informative, it's given me exposure to potential employers and insights into construction.
Grace: Very inspiring! It's great to hear all about the industry and connect with industry figures & the knowledge I've gained. To be honest I came in not expecting to find out too much. Donagh is a fantastic course tutor, entertaining and enthusiastic.
Alexia: I’ve found my 2 weeks at the Earls Court Skills Centre enjoyable. I felt supported and listened to. It also gave me the opportunity to broaden my network, connecting with both industry professionals and fellow learners.
What would you say to others considering a similar course with The Skills Cente?
Marwa: It's a doorway into construction and a supportive environment to help you achieve your goals by providing a doorway into the industry.
Grace: I would recommend. The team are friendly and supportive and you'll learn lots. In terms of this particular course (as advertised) the programme has been replaced with, in my opinion, a more useful and enriching experience – with site visits and meeting industry figureheads.
Alexia: I would definitely recommend it because, no matter what you’re looking for, the team at the centre is always there to help and support.
Tallulah: Keep an open mind, smile, you’ll get back what you put in. Do your research and be optimistic, talk to everyone as much as possible and don’t turn anything down too quickly because you just never know whats out there waiting for you.
Keep an open mind, smile, you’ll get back what you put in. Do your research and be optimistic, talk to everyone as much as possible and don’t turn anything down too quickly. Tallulah
We are thrilled to be able to share that as of publishing, 16 of the women from this course have secured their placements, with Ardmore, Measom and Morrisroe. We are continuing to support the remaining women in finding their placement positions, and are looking forward to following them all on their journeys into the construction workforce.
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The Skills Centre at Earls Court is a hub for upskilling and education.
The site offers a transformative programme of future-focused skills and training, creating more than 12,000 jobs and equipping the next generation of workers with vital skills, particularly across the built environment and the clean and climate tech sectors.
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