I want to tell you about Jason.

He was not in employment education or training when he attended and graduated one of the London Construction Academy courses in 2017. The LCA is fairly unique in its set up as not only does it provide basic skills training in construction related areas it also introduces graduates of the course direct to employers. This is a huge boost to both graduates and employers as they know that the course provides oven ready staff. Jason got one of those roles after his course and has gone on to flourish: he's now a project manager for a road surface project in a London Borough.

The Master Pavior, Melanie Hampton, was very proud to make him her indentured apprentice last year.

The LCA gave him an opportunity and he seized it.

So many of the students have had challenging starts to their lives or taken wrong paths. This course can give them a second, or even third chance, to start again and it is heartening to see the real changes that it makes to lives.

http://thelca.org.uk/

https://www.paviors.org.uk/philanthropy/

Building Heroes is the only tri-service military-to-construction charity that collaborates across the education sector, Armed Forces, and construction industry to provide training, mentorship, civilian qualifications, and employment support. It creates pathways for service leavers, veterans, reserves, and military family members to pursue meaningful second careers or further training in construction or property maintenance.

They are proud to have been recognised for the exceptionally hard work that the Building Heroes team put in every day, helping to recruit, reskill and redeploy those who have kept us safe. They were awarded the prestigious Queens's Award for Enterprise - Promoting Opportunity in 2022, and in 2024 their Founder and CEO was awarded the Business Community Impact Award at the Soldering on Awards which recognises outstanding achievements in the Armed Forces Community.

With an increase in operating costs, a reduction in funding and higher demands on their services we have decided to put ourselves through the "best workout ever" on an outdoor obstacle course to really test our strength, balance and co-ordination skills whilst raising vital funds for Building Heroes in the process which will in turn allow them to provide more support to the military community.

https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/