The inaugural Built By You scheme, launched in Telford to combat the sector skills crisis, has seen its first successful candidate progress from unemployed to qualified in a full-time construction role.

Built By You was launched by national housebuilder Lovell in early 2024 with the first training provision supported by Telford & Wrekin Council and Nuplace (a wholly owned council company), and hosted at Telford College.

Following four weeks of training, both in a classroom setting at the college and through practical on-site work experience, Eugene Kershaw has achieved a level one qualification and successfully interviewed for a full-time role at Lovell. He will be working as an apprentice bricklayer on the Glebe Street site in Telford.

Prior to taking part in the scheme, Eugene had seven years of experience across roofing and window fitting but was going through a period of unemployment due to not having the qualifications to support his experience.

Eugene said: “I was eager to stay within the trade industry when I found myself out of work and the opportunity to take part in Built By You caught my attention as it would allow me to gain the qualification to underpin my experience, as well as learning a new trade.”

After the success of the first cohort, Lovell will be working with partners in Telford to once more invite applicants to the course, starting in September, with an ambition to pave the way for future careers in the built environment.

Eugene added: “You’d be surprised just how many people are crying out for opportunities like these to have access to a proper career with room for growth and development, there is very little out there to support people in achieving this. I’ve already recommended the scheme to people I know.”

Simon Wingate, regional partnerships director, said: “We’re not just talking about the skills crisis, we’re committed to helping solve it with actionable change. It’s our responsibility as a sector to create the right opportunities for the right people to join our fantastic industry, and part of that is engaging more young people in schemes like Built By You and ensuring they have viable routes to careers.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the success of the scheme and welcoming the next cohort in September, with Eugene acting as a role model for those taking part.”

Robert Lees, director of automotive, engineering and construction at Telford College, said: “The programme has been a great success so far. All of the candidates have been hands-on on site, and the subcontractors have been fantastic in showing them the ropes. We’re delighted with the way things are progressing.

“This collaborative partnership is a perfect example of education and business working closely together to deliver the skills which local employers need. Companies want to recruit and retain the best quality staff to grow and thrive, and it’s our role to help make it possible.”

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment & Skills, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the Built By You programme is starting to achieve outcomes like this one for Eugene and shows it can lead to new qualifications and employment in the construction industry.

“Built By You is the perfect platform for people to learn new skills which support the construction industry’s future workforce. It gives them the opportunity to complete qualifications and gain hands-on skills in the workplace and on building sites across the borough.

“Hopefully, Eugene is the first of many to secure careers in the construction industry after successfully completing a Built By You programme.”