Have you heard about Building Heroes?
Established in 2014, Building Heroes is a Queen’s award-winning charity that dedicates its time and efforts to service leavers, veterans, reservists and military families. They provide training and employment support for a new career in construction by equipping individuals with a broad range of trade skills and then connecting them with a network of employers.
As the UK’s leading tri-service military to construction charity, they remove the barriers of time and money and offer a unique fast-track recruit, reskill, and redeploy model. They offer funded training courses with full support during and post-course. They also provide welfare support, training, and guidance leading to national job opportunities.
Building Heroes just celebrated its 8th anniversary on 16th October 2022, and they have had many achievements since 2014, most notably winning the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity earlier this year. They have seen exponential growth and have just celebrated their 2,000th graduate from their training programmes. From one centre in West Sussex offering 50 places per year, they now have 14 centres nationally and over 2,000 applications a year.
Recruit, reskill, redeploy
Their range of construction courses is designed to give individuals the essential skills and qualifications they need to work within the construction industry. Construction isn’t just what you see on a building site; it includes everything from designing, building, and operating. Every path is different for a graduate; some of their learners go into hands-on trades, while others choose a technical or professional management route.
One of the things that Building Heroes prides itself on is its continued support and commitment to its learners. They don’t just provide a course; they also offer:
- Wraparound support
- Site experience
- Employability skills
- Job matches
Why you should recruit military learners
Military learners leave a career in the armed forces, bringing with them a wealth of transferable skills in reliability, organisation skills, problem-solving, management, loyalty, and flexibility. It is so important to find the right person to join your team and manage staff retention. That’s why Building Heroes graduates leave their courses with fully qualified construction skills.
Local people, local training, local outcomes
The charity has a recruitment solution to support local and national employers. Our bronze, silver and gold model provide access to one off candidates, and up to 100 military personnel every five weeks! Recruiting a military service leaver makes complete business sense, not only are you recruiting an individual with valuable transferable skills, but they also come equipped with access to enhanced learning credits* and the employer receives a one-year National insurance holiday providing extra added value.
Don’t just take our word for it
Linda Small is an Ex-Royal Navy servicewoman and army widow constructing brighter new futures for vulnerable people in need. She enrolled on the five-week Basic Construction Skills course at Aldershot and was the 2,000th graduate of Building Heroes. At the age of 55, Linda was the oldest of the 13 people on her course and the only female. She passed with flying colours after mastering a broad range of techniques.
She’s gone on to set up a not-for-profit organisation. She now carries out work for women’s refugees, the elderly and other vulnerable people in need around.
Linda said: I’ve got time on my hands, I’ve got everything I need, and I want to help people. Building Heroes has helped me do much more than I ever thought possible.”
What’s next?
Building Heroes are in a stage of growth and transition. Their current Founder, Brendan Williams is retiring from his position after eight years. From 1st January 2023, the current COO Karen Jefford, will be taking over as the new Chief Executive. This is an exciting time for the charity, and they look forward to welcoming new learners, volunteers, partners, funders, donators, and team members in the future.
Volunteer. Support us. Work with us.
We are always looking for enthusiastic ambassadors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters to help us continue to help those who have kept us safe. We understand that not everyone has time to volunteer, so perhaps you could support us by donating?
Find out more at Building Heroes.
*qualifying criteria applies
