Supporting Young People into Sustainable Careers in Construction

The construction sector continues to face significant workforce shortages across a range of occupations, including skilled trades, civil engineering, retrofit, housebuilding, and infrastructure delivery. At the same time, many young people face barriers to entering employment, training and apprenticeships, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with limited work experience.

This procurement seeks to appoint a suitable provider to design and deliver an employment and skills programme that supports young people aged 18-24 to gain the knowledge, employability skills, industry accreditations and employer connections necessary to progress into sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further training within the construction sector.

Contract Purpose

To deliver a structured employment programme that prepares young people for careers in construction and supports progression into employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps or further vocational training.

Programme Objectives

The successful provider will:

Increase awareness of career opportunities within the construction sector.
Improve participant employability, confidence and job readiness.
Provide sector-specific skills and knowledge aligned to employer demand.
Support participants to gain relevant industry-recognised qualifications.
Facilitate meaningful engagement with construction employers.
Progress participants into employment, apprenticeships or further training opportunities.
Promote diversity and inclusion within the construction workforce.

Target Participants

The programme will support:

Young people aged 18-24.
Residents within the borough of Waltham Forest
Individuals unemployed, economically inactive or at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

Priority groups to support will also include:

Care leavers.
Young people with disabilities or additional support needs.
Individuals from underrepresented communities.
Young people from areas of deprivation.
Young people not currently engaged with education or training.

Scope of Services
The provider will be expected to deliver:
Recruitment and Engagement

Outreach activities and recruitment campaigns.
Referral pathway management with local partners.
Assessment of participant eligibility and suitability.

Pre-Employment Support

Initial assessment and individual action planning.
Employability skills development.
CV writing, interview preparation and job search support.
Personal development and confidence-building activities.

Sector Training
Participants should receive:

Introduction to the construction industry.
Health and safety awareness training.
Construction employability skills.
Information on career pathways and progression routes.
Access to construction-related qualifications where appropriate.

Examples include:

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card.
Health and Safety qualifications.
Manual Handling.
Working at Height Awareness.
First Aid qualifications.

Employer Engagement

The provider will:

Develop partnerships with local construction employers.
Arrange employer presentations and site visits.
Facilitate work tasters, placements or work experience opportunities.
Match participants to employment and apprenticeship vacancies.

In-Work Support

Ongoing mentoring and progression support.
Employer liaison during initial employment period.
Retention support for a minimum period of six months.

Expected Outputs: To be agreed on submission and review of tender and in line with contract value.

Outputs will be targeted to areas such as enrolments, training, placements and employment outputs.

Please outline potential figures to be achieved based on the contract value outlined below.

Delivery Requirements
The successful provider must demonstrate:

Experience delivering employment and skills programmes for young people.
Strong links with construction employers and industry bodies.
Capacity to provide safeguarding and pastoral support.
Ability to collect and report outcome data.
Experience supporting individuals facing multiple barriers to employment.

Monitoring and Evaluation
The provider will be required to:

Submit monthly performance reports.
Track participant progress and outcomes.
Provide case studies and participant feedback.
Participate in contract review meetings.
Demonstrate social value outcomes generated through programme delivery.

Social Value Requirements
Providers should demonstrate how they will:

Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Support local employment opportunities.
Engage with local schools, colleges and community organisations.
Contribute to net-zero and sustainability objectives.
Create wider community benefits through programme delivery.

Contract Value
Indicative contract value: £25,000 - £30,000 dependent on delivery outputs

Funding model:

Payment by delivery and achievement of agreed outputs and outcomes.
Milestone payments linked to participant engagement, programme completion and positive progression outcomes.

Contract Duration

Initial term: 12 months.
Option to extend by up to 12 months based on performance and available funding.