The graduates form the YB100 programme’s ninth Thamesmead cohort having completed the 13-week training course. During this time they learnt sought after skills like plastering, drywalling, painting, decorating and tiling, as well as health and safety must-haves like fire marshal training.
YouthBuild curates its programme alongside several industry-leading partners, and works closely with us to deliver comprehensive training to young people in Thamesmead. In addition to physical improvements to the area, part of our work leading the town’s long-term regeneration includes providing young people with opportunities to access education, training, enterprise and employment. This is largely achieved via opportunities that people can access locally.
Peabody’s Economic Inclusion Manager, Christofi Christou, said: “YouthBuild provides a great opportunity for young people in Thamesmead to gain technical skills that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. For many of the alumni this course is a life-changing opportunity. It’s been great to see how the programme has developed in Thamesmead since it was first introduced in 2019 and we’re incredibly proud of what all of the graduates have achieved. As always we look forward to seeing what’s to come from future cohorts and continuing our partnership with YouthBuild.”
At the ceremony, YouthBuild staff, mentors and partners sat among the loved ones of the proud graduates who each collected their certificates on stage, with some taking the opportunity to thank those who supported them throughout their time on the course.
“The opportunity you’ve given us is incredible,” said Louie, 18, while Larry, 24, added: “This course has helped me develop as a person. Before I came here I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.” One of the programme mentees, Femi, said: “The YouthBuild team is the crème de la crème. I couldn’t ask to work with a better group of people.”
Speaking to the graduates at the ceremony, Shenaaz Chenia, CEO of YouthBuild Ventures UK, said: "Today is all about you. We’re all here for you. The 13 weeks that you’ve gone through haven’t been easy but that shows an incredible amount of commitment. It’s not something to take for granted. It’s something to be very proud of and something to take as a guiding light into your future.”
Designed to equip 14-25-year-olds with the hands-on experience needed to enter into a career in construction, YouthBuild also supports its participants to create CVs and apply for jobs in the industry. Previous graduates have gone on to begin apprenticeships in the construction industry or land job roles in areas including site management, scaffolding and carpentry.
The next YouthBuild cohort will begin the programme in March. You can find out more about the organisation here. Read more about our work with young people in Thamesmead here.
