Partnership Supports Armed Forces Veterans

A life-changing new initiative launched ahead of Armed Forces Day (25 June) is supporting service leavers and veterans in the North East to train and develop skills for a career in the construction industry.

National Highways delivery partner Costain has begun the project in 2022 with charity Building Heroes. The charity, a recent winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for promoting opportunity through social mobility, is also providing employment support into a new career in construction by working with Costain and National Highways’ supply chain companies for careers training, work experience and employment.

The new on-site academy is located at Blaydon Hub, which is used as offices and a visitor centre for National Highways’ upgrades of the A1 between Scotswood and North Brunton and Birtley to Coal House. These projects are being delivered by Costain.

To date three groups of candidates have undertaken the five-week custom-designed course leading to an NVQ in construction and civil engineering, as well as a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card that allows them to go straight in to work on a site.

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Chris Braithwaite, National Highways Programme Leader, visited the fourth group starting this week. Chris, who is himself an Army veteran, spoke to them about National Highways’ work building and maintaining the strategic road network.

Chris said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the government’s levelling up agenda by working with Building Heroes and our delivery partners, giving service leavers and veterans the skills and training to transition into careers in construction in the North East. Developing a diverse and sustainable workforce in the region by providing employment opportunities is a key element of our social value strategy for our current and future highways projects.”

One candidate from the second group has even been able to go straight into work for Costain as a materials laboratory assistant on graduation. Others are undergoing work experience or exploring employment opportunities with a variety of different supply chain companies in the region.

The partnership also involves education provider Learning Curve and Launchpad, a charity that provides accommodation and support for homeless veterans in Newcastle. The charity helps people that have encountered difficulties since leaving the services through the programme and back into work.

Joanna Hitchen, Costain social value and EDI lead for highways, said:

“It’s a real pleasure to be working in the North East with Building Heroes and our partners and supply chain to help improve people’s lives. Providing skills and employment benefits not only the individuals involved but also the wider community and our industry, creating a lasting legacy from major infrastructure projects.”