The Lower Thames Crossing introduces a pilot Skills Hub aimed at training individuals, including those on day release from prison, for skilled employment.
- This initiative includes over 20 participants, offering them free training and a pathway to skilled work in the construction industry.
- In collaboration with local businesses, the hub seeks to dismantle employment barriers, especially for those previously incarcerated, the long-term unemployed, and women returning to the workforce.
- The programme aims to create a lasting skills legacy, with plans for expansion across Kent and Essex by 2025.
- Former education and employment secretary Lord David Blunkett advises the project, contributing to strategic planning and execution.
The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has embarked on an innovative endeavour by launching a Skills Hub that is poised to significantly impact employment opportunities for underserved communities. This pilot programme includes individuals on day release from Kent prisons, focusing on providing work-based training that aligns with market needs.
The Skills Hub attracts participants from the local construction workforce and those with barriers to employment. By offering free training, it aims to equip over 20 individuals, including six prison leavers, with a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card, thereby enhancing their employability. Participants are guaranteed job interviews with reputable firms through partnerships with supply chains.
In its mission to reduce employment barriers and promote upward mobility, the hub not only targets prison leavers but also aims to uplift long-term unemployed individuals and women re-entering the workforce. By gaining qualifications like the site supervisor certificate, attendees can progress into more advanced roles in the construction sector, facilitating career advancement.
Looking towards the future, the learning from this pilot will inform the rollout of additional skills hubs throughout Kent and Essex, slated for 2025. This expansion will be conducted in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board and other stakeholders, ensuring a sustained impact on the regional workforce.
Adding a layer of expertise, Lord David Blunkett has been appointed to guide the project’s development in skills strategy. His role as an independent skills and education advisor underscores the project’s dedication to creating meaningful and strategic educational pathways. Meanwhile, supply chain development director Katharina Ferguson emphasises the transformative potential of the skills hubs in addressing skills shortages and promoting community welfare.
Key industry figures have acknowledged the essential nature of this initiative. Sean Connor, managing director of Gallagher Group, highlighted the importance of local training opportunities in reducing costs and time associated with workforce development, optimistically noting the substantial benefits for both large enterprises and SMEs.
The Lower Thames Crossing Skills Hub represents a pivotal step towards integrating marginalised groups into the workforce, fostering both personal and community development.
