Construction Skills Bootcamp | Case Study

Background

Blake decided to complete our Construction Skills Bootcamp in 2023 whilst serving a prison sentence in HMP Forest Bank. The 12-week course taught him a range of skills and as a result he gained his NOCN level 2 Construction Multi Trades qualification and City and Guilds Health and Safety in Construction Environment qualification whilst still in custody.

A new future

Blake was motivated to turn his life around after his sentence. After his release, our team arranged for him to take his CSCS test, which he passed with flying colours.

Blake had previous experience within the construction sector. However, with no recognised qualifications behind him and a criminal record, he was likely to face challenges gaining stable work.

With his new qualifications and on-going support from the Groundwork team Blake is now in full-time employment on an official building site.

A young person wearing a hardhat holding a ladder after his construction skills course — *Stock photo and fake name used to protect identity

Blake really enjoyed the Construction Skills Bootcamp and couldn’t wait to get into employment and start providing for his family. He added:

I enjoyed it because I like learning hands on. It was suited to me because I knew I wanted to work in construction on my release. This is the best course in the prison and there weren’t any other courses as good as this one, especially because Groundwork would be providing me with support on release and opportunities for work. It was nice because it felt like I had people in my corner and they believed in me.

Blake’s training was made possible thanks to Greater Manchester Combined Authority securing funding to deliver skills bootcamps. This forms part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life.