Decade of Dedication: Tri-Service, Military-to-Construction Charity Marks Ten Years of Impactful Service and Support

Over the past decade, as the leading UK tri-service, military-to-construction charity, we have played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the armed forces community and civilian employment. For ten years, we have facilitated a seamless transition for ex-military members looking to build fulfilling careers in the construction industry. 

As a Queen’s Award-Winning charity, our primary goal is to combat the risk of unemployment among veterans. We offer funded, fast-track construction skills training and employment support programmes across England and Wales to accomplish this. Our programmes enable learners to attain nationally recognised qualifications in five weeks, including entry-level construction skills, street works, groundworks, and green skills training.

Brendan Williams, Founder and Chief Executive, said: “From its inception, BuildingHeroes has been about improving the lives of our Armed Forces Service Leavers,Veterans, and their families. We have experienced a remarkable trajectory of growth since we launched in 2013. Throughout our journey, we have partnered with and built strong relationships with the Ministry of Defence, educational partners, industry partners, sponsors, and volunteers, who have helped BuildingHeroes become the charity it is today. We are very grateful for their continued support.” 

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we reflect on the incredible journey and the special moments we have observed while looking forward to an exciting and impactful year.

A significant milestone in our journey is the prestigious recognition of the Queen's Award for Enterprise - Promoting Opportunity. We proudly accepted this honour on December 5, 2023, during a ceremony at the County Hall in Chichester. We received an emblem, a Grant ofAppointment (official certificate), and a commemorative crystal trophy presented by HRH, The Duke of Gloucester.

Upon approval of the Prime Minister, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth provided the royal seal of approval, underscoring our commitment to facilitating the successful transition of individuals from military life to thriving civilian careers. 

(Following the passing of Her Majesty in September 2022, the award has now been renamedThe King’s Award for Enterprise, preserving the legacy of the Queen’s Awards.)

The Queen’s Award is a prestigious recognition valid for five years, solidifying our position as one of the most reputable and impactful organisations to work with and support, and affirms our unwavering commitment to fostering social mobility and empowering the armed forces community in their journey toward successful civilian lives.

Through the dedicated team and partners, we have seen success with over 3,000 individuals going through the programmes, with a high proportion (on average, 73%) of these individuals going on to find employment within the construction industry. Each year, we generate up to £17 million in social value across the 13 training locations, with each learner contributing up to £20,500 of social value. 

James Wilson, Group Managing Director said: “We offer our congratulations to Building Heroes on winning the prestigious Queen’sAward for Enterprise. It’s a truly well-deserved accolade and a testament to their unwavering dedication to the military community.

“Davidsons Homes’ partnership with Building Heroes is a huge source of pride not only for me, but for the whole company. Since we launched the Building Heroes Academy in 2021, we have seen 130 veterans graduate from our centre alone, with 73 percent of those going on to find employment within the construction industry. To witness the tangible differenceBuilding Heroes is making to the lives of veterans and service leavers acrossEngland and Wales is incredibly rewarding and we look forward to many more years working with the foundation.”

So what’s in store for 2024? 

Looking ahead to 2024, we remain dedicated to serving the Armed Forces in collaboration with. education and industry partners. In addition to the ongoing successful courses, we are excited to launch new training programmes. These include updated Plant training programmes to support employment opportunities in construction and infrastructure, as well as Green Skills/RetrofitSurveyor/Assessor programmes aimed at contributing to the UK's 2050 decarbonisation targets and the government's net-zero strategy.

As part of the 10-year anniversary celebration, we plan to showcase inspiring narratives and case studies from learners and coordinators spanning several years. The goal is to motivate and encourage new individuals to embark on the initial journey from military to civilian life.

Marking the official ten-year milestone on October 16, 2024, we are eager to celebrate with a gathering that brings together the Building Heroes family. This includes the dedicated team, learners, coordinators, partners, sponsors, volunteers, donors, trustees, and anyone else who has made an impact on Building Heroes. Details will be announced in the coming months.

We are committed to maintaining partnerships with industry stakeholders and the broader community, creating life-changing opportunities for those who have dutifully served the nation. Our collaborative efforts will continue, ensuring an even more significant impact over the next decade.

If you would like to partner with us or join in our celebrations for the 10th anniversary, get in touch.