UK Connect backs new construction skills centre to support SEND learners
The technology company has donated £10,000 towards the renovation of SATRO’s new Lockwood off-site vocational learning centre in Guildford.
The facility will provide practical construction training in small groups for students who find it more difficult to thrive in mainstream education, including young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as vulnerable and excluded learners.
Partnership responds to construction skills shortage and youth disengagement
The partnership comes as the construction sector continues to face skills shortages while the Government has set a target to deliver 1.5 million new homes during the current Parliament.
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SATRO delivers STEM programmes, mentoring and vocational training, with its construction skills programme currently operating across 43 schools in South Central England and supporting around 450 students each year. The charity engages with more than 12,000 students annually through its wider programmes.
Jenny Walker, Chief Marketing Officer at UK Connect, said: “As a business, we’re passionate about investing in young people and the future of the construction industry.
“Partnering with SATRO is an opportunity for UK Connect to support local young people and help them develop their skills. We understand that traditional education isn’t for everyone and the new Lockwood site will be integral to addressing the needs of those young people who wish to pursue alternative career pathways.”
New centre to provide practical construction training
The Lockwood centre will offer vocational learning opportunities designed to help students gain practical construction experience while building confidence and employability skills.
Andrew Whitby-Collins, Chief Executive at SATRO, said: “We believe that every young person has potential and practical learning experiences help students rediscover their confidence and purpose.
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“We’ve seen the impact that trusted relationships with adult mentors can have on young people, it can be transformative.
“Thanks to UK Connect’s extremely generous donation we’ll be able to offer bespoke support for young people interested in the construction sector, which will hopefully lead to rewarding future career opportunities.”
Walker added: “It’s no secret that there’s a skills shortage in the construction sector. Working in partnership with SATRO our aim is to encourage more young people to follow their passion for construction and having a site like Lockwood where they can hone those skills is so important.
“By investing in and supporting young people we’re not just futureproofing the construction industry, we’re also providing a skilled, capable workforce.”
The partnership aims to strengthen pathways into construction careers by connecting vocational education with industry support, as employers continue to seek new approaches to addressing workforce shortages and attracting the next generation of skilled construction professionals.
