London Construction Academy is paving the way for the next generation

The construction industry’s skills shortage is one of its most pressing challenges and threatens to derail housebuilding and infrastructure projects.

Offering a roadmap for the future and inspiring a new generation of construction workers, the LCA has for 10 years been able to help bridge the gap between an ageing workforce and a younger generation shying away from a career in the industry.

As a fellow of both the CIOB and ICE, and with decades of experience working with major contractors at director and operations level, I have witnessed first-hand the evolving challenges faced by the industry.

It’s against this backdrop that I became involved with the LCA at its formation. As chair of the charity committee for a City of London livery company, the Worshipful Company of Paviors, and a trustee of both the Paviors’ charity and the LCA, I’ve had the privilege of observing how this innovative training initiative is reshaping the landscape of construction education.

The LCA is a hidden gem. Founded in 2014 as the London Highways Academy of Excellence by FM Conway and the Worshipful Company of Paviors, the LCA provides training and support to help hard-to-reach people in the capital develop the knowledge and skills they need to enter the construction sector.

The LCA’s bespoke two-week course provides those who are not currently in employment, education or training (NEETs) with core skills to kickstart careers within the industry and introduces them to employers. 

The course enables students to obtain Health and Safety Level 1, a CSCS card and first aid at work training, as well as traffic marshal training, CV writing and interview skills.

The welfare of students is fundamental to the LCA and as part of the programme, individuals receive a fully funded travel card and complimentary daily lunch for the duration of the course.

Such is the success of the course that an LCA Impact Report commissioned in 2021 found that the social return on investment was £9 per £1 invested. It also highlighted an impressive ethnic and religious diversity.

This year saw the 10^th anniversary of the LCA. Since the first course in 2014, 561 students have participated and whilst it is not always possible to stay in contact with all students, we know that more than half have gained employment.

This is down to the delivery of the course by the talented Skills Centre and support from our committed referral partners, employer partners and funders.

There have been many success stories, including Shae Henriques, who attended the LCA in the early days of the course and has seen his career take off, culminating in working at Heathrow Airport.

“The course I completed at the London Construction Academy was great in getting me my first opportunity in the industry and I spent four years in the asphalt and paving sector putting into practice much of what I had learnt,” said Shae.

“Many of the skills were transferable as well, especially health and safety and time management.”

Just to show the wide range of opportunities the course can open doors into, successful LCA graduate Millie Field is now working as a shipper with Tarmac. She believes that without the skills and confidence gained during the course, she would have been unlikely to get the job.

Millie said: “The Academy taught me about site safety, a key part of how we operate on site. With the knowledge I gained from the Academy and my team at Tarmac, I was the senior shipper for the HS2 project and I have now moved on to be [Tarmac’s] account manager for central London.”

The hands-on approach of the LCA really does change lives.

I can remember several years ago we organised an event where a couple of past students met some of the Pavior membership providing funding.

One of the questions from the floor was: “How has this course changed your life?” Without hesitation, the reply came back: “I can afford to buy food.” I was moved to tears.

Supporting the LCA, either by offering employment or making a donation, is an ideal way for construction companies and developers in London to support those who need it most.

For more information, connect with the team via LinkedIn or contact admin@thelca.org.

Rob Kremis FCIOB is a director at RAK Management Consulting.