In Havering, something powerful is happening right now—and it’s being built brick by brick by the next generation. While national headlines focus on unemployment rates and job shortages, over in Harold Hill, young people are getting the chance not just to train, but to thrive. Let’s unpack why this grassroots work‑experience programme matters—and why it could be a blueprint for youth success across the UK.
The Story
The Havering Council, in partnership with construction firm Bugler, has invited Level 1 bricklaying students from Rainham’s New City College to its new Family Welcome Centre site. Picture this: young people stepping onto a live construction project, suiting up in hi‑vis, walking the site with professionals, and getting hands-on with bricks, mortar, and real building challenges.
Among them were Eva Parker and Billy Nell. Eva told the Council, “I’ve learned so much about the construction industry and have gained practical experience that I know will be invaluable as I pursue my career”
Billy shared how he worked with different types of bricks and even followed construction drawings—he ended his week with a trowel handshake from the site team.
Bugler’s project manager, Ged Xidhas, highlighted the students’ eagerness, saying they “integrated quickly” and soaked up every opportunity.
Councillor Ray Morgon added that this isn’t just site‑building—it’s “building futures,” proving that regeneration can and should include training investment for local youth.
Why This Matters for Young People
1. Practical Skills > CV Buzzwords
Degrees and diplomas are great—but where theory ends, real work begins. For students like Eva and Billy, spending a week on-site gave them more than lines on a resume—it gave them actual skillsets. They’ve learned how to read drawings, work safely in teams, manage materials, and collaborate with professionals every day.
In a market where retail jobs are disappearing, this kind of hands-on experience matters. It shifts young people from “I’ve got potential” to “I can do this job today.”
2. Boosting Confidence & Self-Worth
Young people today face a tough job market. When there are fewer roles and fierce competition, it’s easy to feel invisible. But when you walk onto a construction site, get taught brickwork, and receive praise from project managers—that’s proof. That’s belief. That’s a young person realizing, “I belong here.”
Programs like this send a powerful message: you’re not just a learner—you’re part of something real.
3. A Pipeline into Industry
With the Family Welcome Centre’s launch scheduled for Spring 2026, these placements aren’t one-offs. They form part of a renewed approach where education meets industry. When students rub shoulders with Bugler staff, meet site managers, and handle real tools, they’re forging networks that can lead to apprenticeships, more placements—and even full-time roles after graduation.
4. Community Investment That Pays Back
Councillor Morgon’s comment hits hard: this is regeneration that includes everyone. A £66 million investment in school expansion and facilities is great—but combining that with direct work experience ensures regeneration isn’t just about buildings. It’s about people—about lifting up local youth and letting them own their future.
Wider Implications: A Fresh Approach to Youth Employability
This isn’t just great news for Havering—it’s a model worth copying. If boroughs across the UK adopted similar schemes, especially in trades and creative sectors, they could:
- Tackle youth unemployment by building genuine career pathways
- Counter “CV invisibility” with verifiable work experience
- Empower young people with both competence and confidence
- Strengthen employer-community ties
Vocational learning, often overlooked in favour of academic routes, is suddenly proving to be a lifeline to secure careers and meaningful opportunity.
Voices from the Ground
- Eva Parker: “My time at the site has been incredibly rewarding.”
- Billy Nell: His parting gift? A trowel—but symbolically, it’s much bigger: a tool set to shape his future.
These small, but profound experiences stick. They confirm that yes, young people can contribute meaningfully—to major builds, to teams, and to entire communities.
What Success Looks Like
For this to work, every party has to play its part:
- Councils must partner with local colleges and firms, opening sites for placements
- Contractors need to commit mentoring time and structure real tasks
- Schools must promote vocational pathways alongside degrees
- Young people must show up, ask questions, and work hard
Where that happens, barriers fall. Young people go from “I want a job” to “I built something that matters.”
Final Word: From Site Walks to Career Paths
The Family Welcome Centre is more than a building—it’s a bridge. A bridge between classroom hopes and career realities. Between young people searching for direction and industries crying out for skilled trades.
If we want youths who are resilient, employable, and inspired, we need more than CV checks—we need real experiences. Site walks won’t solve unemployment overnight, but they send a message: there is space for youth. Space to learn, to do, to belong.
As Havering shows us, that space is called opportunity—and it’s time we built that everywhere.
https://insidesuccessmagazine.com/category/career
Zita Salum, a British, Tanzanian journalist with a London heart, is making waves in the world of media. Born and Raised in Hackney London, she discovered her passion for storytelling at a young age. Her journey began as an admin for the Inside Success magazine, but her talent quickly shone through. Zita's ability to craft compelling narratives and her knack for capturing the essence of a story led her to become an editor for the magazine.
From there, her career soared. Zita has contributed to a diverse range of publications, including the prestigious W magazine, showcasing her versatility as a writer. Her expertise spans across industries such as music, corporate, political, sports, arts, and fashion. Beyond her written work, Zita has also excelled in broadcast journalism. Her natural ability to connect with interviewees and her engaging hosting style have made her a sought-after talent in the industry.
In her free time, Zita is a dedicated networker, attending industry events and immersing herself in the latest trends. She is also passionate about investigative journalism and has produced creative documentaries that shed light on important issues. With her talent, drive, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Zita Salum is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of journalism.
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