Marlborough delivered a three-week ‘Introduction to Highways' training course this summer for six care-experienced young people from Havering to give them ‘practical experience of the industry' and support their ‘next steps towards employment'.
Marlborough worked closely with Havering Council, Havering Works and The Skills Centre to deliver the course for free as a ‘first-of-its-kind' programme for the company.
The course combined classroom-based learning with ‘practical, hands-on training' which allowed Kyian, Ellie, Leighton, Taha, Liam and Ibraheem to develop their knowledge of the highways and construction sector while gaining practical skills and ‘recognised industry experience'.
Kyian said: ‘People like me who've been in care should be confident in what they have, what they can do. Everyone is different but we can take the opportunities courses like this give us - we can rise up from where we've come from and do well from it. Marlborough's shown me that I can do so much and I'm learning all the time. I'm so happy I got this opportunity; without it, I don't know what I'd be doing, but now I'm looking forward to building up my future.'
Leighton added: ‘I wasn't a fan of school, and couldn't sit still in a classroom, but I've wanted to be in construction since I was a kid as I like manual work and being outside. My carer got me an interview with Marlborough; I was in maths when I was told I'd got on the course! Now that it's over, I'm looking forward to going higher up in the industry, maybe a site manager one day! Bad days can only be bad days if you let them happen to you - I want people who've been in care to stay away from bad decisions, find out what they want to do, ask around - that's what I did - so many people can support you and I'm getting to learn so much which will help me in the future.'
All six participants were also invited to the company's annual Apprenticeship Assessment Day to have an opportunity to meet colleagues from across the business and interview for a spot on Marlborough's Operational Apprenticeship Programme.
Covering highways maintenance, street lighting and traffic management, the apprenticeship programme is intended to give apprentices the chance to earn a living wage while gaining ‘recognised qualifications and practical experience' with the support of structured training and mentoring.
Nula Krawczynski, social value manager, commented: ‘Working closely with Havering Council and Havering Works, as well as our partners at The Skills Centre, we've really been able to support local care-experienced adults as they take their first steps towards employment.
‘The enthusiasm and progress shown by all six participants has been fantastic to see. We're incredibly proud of what they've achieved over the past three weeks, and look forward to seeing where their journey takes them next.'
Emma Birkett, senior project support officer of children's services, added: ‘Recognising the unique challenges that care leavers may face when entering the workforce, this programme aims to provide targeted support and remove barriers to employment. By creating accessible routes into a competitive sector, the initiative will help care leavers build confidence, achieve greater independence and establish rewarding long-term careers.'
John Fenton, centre director at The Skills Centre, said: ‘The joint venture between Marlborough and The Skills Centre provided a fantastic opportunity for young people leaving care to enhance their skills and knowledge of the construction industry, take part in practical hands on training, gain a level 1 in Construction and a CSCS card that will allow them to find work throughout the industry.'
