Explore a career in construction

Local jobs in Construction and the built environment will bring 27,000 new homes and at least 8,000 new jobs over the next 15 years to Waltham Forest. There is a great deal of work taking place across the borough to make sure we have the homes, workplaces, transport network, schools, health, and leisure facilities that our residents will need in the future. As the boroughs £580m Capital Delivery programme continues, we will ensure we work with partners to create local construction jobs for local people.

The construction industry has evolved, and many common past observations about working in the sector do not apply today.

The salary and benefits are very competitive compared to other sectors as a technical trainee you can earn around £25k per annum and more experienced technical workers can earn between £48k to £50k.

Help with making a career choice

Speak to a qualified careers adviser at your school or college.

Access impartial careers advice through the National Careers Service if you are 13 or older.

Read about you post 16 options, your options after sixth form or college or routes to take after university.

Vocational qualifications

Qualifications offered through local colleges, gives you the opportunity to gain

• NVQ
• VRQ
• Pre Access
• Access
• HND
• or HNC

Get more information though London Academy of Sustainable Construction

London Academy of Sustainable Construction (LASC)

Train with London Academy of Sustainable Construction (LASC) based in Leytonstone. They offer a range of construction courses, CSCS Cards through to scaffolding apprenticeships.

Free pre-employment training is available if you are 19 or older and interested in getting into Roofing, Steel Fixing and General Construction.

• Get more information though London Academy of Sustainable Construction
• or email: hello@simian-risk.com

Kickstart

Kickstart work placements for six-months are open to those aged 16 to 24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. To access these opportunities, you will need to go through your Jobs Centre Plus work coach.

Steps in to work

Get support with work and job vacancies by contacting Steps into Work

Use the skills you have developed over years in IT, project management, quality assurance, design, commercial awareness, and HR and apply it to the construction and built environment sector

• Connect with a Mentor: to help with develop your learning and skills
• Support for Women: helps support women wishing to work in the construction industry
• Talent Retention Scheme: help with showcasing your experience and expertise
• Careers Advice: help with making an informed career choice. Speak to a qualified career adviser.
• Start in Waltham Forest: help you to discover your future and navigate your journey through education and into the world of work.
• Gain Vocational Qualifications: studying at local college gives you the opportunity to gain an NVQ / VRQ, Pre Access, Access, HND or HNC. Your local college can get you onto a course and into a career as quickly as possible
• Train with London Academy of Sustainable Construction (LASC) based in Leytonstone. They offer a range of qualifications, from short, accredited courses through to advanced apprenticeships.
• Kickstart: Paid work placements for six months are open to those aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Talk to your jobs coach at the Jobs Centre to access opportunities with local employers.
• Steps into Work: Local support with work and vacancies through our Waltham Forest Job Brokerage
• Free Pre-employment training is available if you are 19 or older and interested in getting into Roofing, Steel Fixing and General Construction. email stepsintowork@walthamforest.gov.uk
• You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.
• Local Labour Supply: free recruitment support available to employers in the construction and built environment through Steps into Work. Email your requirements stepsintowork@walthamforest.gov.uk. We will aim to respond within 48 hours.

Read more on our Employers Information

The Employment, Business and Skills Team

Operational contact: Zaid Al-Sayyah: Zaid.Al-Sayyah@walthamforest.gov.uk
Senior Contact: Iona McArdle: Iona.McArdle@walthamforest.gov.uk

What does the EBS team do?

Construction is one of the key sectors LBWF‘s Employment Brokerage service focus on, linking jobs to Waltham Forest residents and helping to build a strong local work force in the Construction industry. Our support is tailored specifically to each and every one of our service users, creating a more personable approach.

Who do we service?

• We provide our unemployed non-skilled residents with training opportunities, offering them employability when required, and work with relevant organisations to ensure they get the support they need.
• We also connect our skilled residents to local jobs, ensuring they have priority over non-residents with regards to jobs and opportunities in the borough.  
• We help prepare our residents for work wherever they are at in their journey when they come to us, which can mean upskilling, but normally it simply means offering them opportunities we, as the local authority, have access to.
• Whilst serving the community, we are also supporting our local employers and training providers to help all parties achieve their contractual obligations.
• If you need assistance with your social value and s106 obligations, contact us for a chat (emails above).

How is it accessed?

• We have access to Waltham Forest’s largest candidate pool (the Job Centre) and work with various other organisations, such as local colleges and training providers, as well as using digital communications for specific campaigns, all with the same goal in common, which is to support borough residents into quality and sustainable employment.
• We can also be found on the Council’s website and residents can make self-referrals.
• We are due to launch a new jobs portal in the first quarter of 2022-23.

How do we get results?

We source and engage:

1. Employers with demand for that role- to interview and employ candidates.
2. Trainers specialised in that role- to upskill and prepare Candidates for employment.
3. Candidates with the right motivation and skills- to succeed and benefit from training and employment in that role.
4. At rapid pace- to create a reinforcing cycle of increasing confidence, engagement and scale.
5. We have a direct route to residents in the borough seeking employment, who are qualified,  suitable and ready for an immediate start. We continue to support our residents once they have registered with us for support, which allows us to build a good solid database and referral stream of our own.

Social Value

Key contacts:
Joanna Dahlgren, Social Value & SROI Lead: Joanna.dahlgren@walthamforest.gov.uk

How do we count / promote apprenticeships in back-office functions within construction e.g. HR, business admin, resident liaison?

The Social Value team book in meetings with developers following the forum to discuss SV commitments and this includes the promotion of apprenticeships, particularly within the high degree level. We are currently having these conversations to ensure developers are aware on how they can include apprenticeships within their projects, in particular those that have made commitments against this measure.

Can you provide info on special projects opportunities regarding social value?

Special projects are being used within conversations to ensure contractors/developers are aware of this and how they can go about to incorporate this measure within the Social Value Delivery Plans.

Local Training Providers and Support with Work Placements – support to achieve s106 and Social Value commitments

There are 2 main training providers in the borough that deliver training in Apprenticeships and qualifications in the sector. They could also support with work placements and work experience.

London Academy of Sustainable Construction

Key contact:
Sara Calvo, Business Development Manager: scalvo@simian-risk.com

Waltham Forest College

Key contacts:
Nadeem Khalifa, Director of Business Innovation and Partnerships: Nadeem.Khalifa@waltham.ac.uk
Melissa Mann, Head of Operations: Melissa.Mann@waltham.ac.uk

Apprenticeships

The length of an apprenticeship is detailed in the Apprenticeship Framework which can be found on the apprenticeships website. Where possible, we expect all apprenticeships to complete their courses (or employers to make best efforts to do so). This makes good business sense for the employer and for the sector that desperately needs a new talent pipeline given the number of vacancies and an aging workforce.

You can utilise your company’s apprenticeship levy payment to pay for the training and the employer pays for the salary and travel expenses. If you do not pay the levy you can draw down other company’s unused levy.

Contact Waltham Forest College or LASC to discuss Apprenticeships in more detail.

You can advertise apprenticeship vacancies on the national Apprenticeship website. To get the best chance of getting local labour candidates, please contact Zaid Al-Sayyah, Opportunities Programme Manager: Zaid.Al-Sayyah@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Where possible, the Council encourages developers / contractors to consider higher level apprenticeships, to meet the needs of the current and future workforce.