Developer Challenge is a 4-week engagement programme for young people to gain experience working on-site. The programme was designed as a carousel providing each young person the opportunity to become aware and experience the breadth of careers in the construction industry and to experience sites.
Peter has disengaged from education and was referred to the Developer Challenge by the Youth Offending Service as he had expressed an interest in participating on the 4-week programme, as he felt it would give him a better understanding of construction and the different career options and pathways that could be potentially open to him as a young person wanting to get into the industry.
Peter participated on the programme whereby he selected activities that would expose him to a range of different elements within the industry. Throughout this time, he gained insight into different careers, attended employability workshops and practical workshops in carpentry, block/bricklaying, painting & decorating, drylining, joinery and tiling as well as site tours on some of the Major site in Lambeth.
Having visited a site and doing a bricklaying practical session, Peter expressed an interest in potentially looking at becoming a Bricklayer as he had enjoyed the session, his enthusiasm was observed by the Training Manager, that Peter had a natural flair in becoming a bricklayer. And was offered an interview for an apprenticeship bricklayer opportunity on site. Before attending the interview Construction Youth Trust prepared Peter by providing tips on researching the company, the industry, and the trade, as well as practical mock interview practice. Peter attended the interview and was successful and was offered a work trail for one week and if all goes well, he will commence his Apprenticeship as a Bricklayer.
Knowing that this opportunity was on the horizon Peter diligently continued to study for his OCN Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment followed by taking his on screen CSCS test and was successful in passing first time.
Peter work trail will commence in October (2021), with Lee Marley and he is so excited to be given this opportunity.
Update 2023
Peter continues to enjoy his role working on site as an apprentice bricklayer, and now is doing his level 3 in Bricklaying. Although he has been with the Lee Marley for over a year Peter has been very active with school engagement and demonstrating to students what he does on site. Peter has also been very proactive and has taken the responsibility on to mentor and support the new cohort of apprentices that took the same pathway as himself through the Lambeth Made Summer Programme- Contractors Challenge.