National construction charity Band of Builders (BoB) has launched a new bursary scheme to provide the next generation of tradespeople with the tools, PPE and workwear needed to kickstart their careers
The charity unveiled the BoB Bursary at its annual fundraising ball in Birmingham, with Leeds College of Building, Bedford College, and South Staffordshire College being selected to launch the scheme to existing students. BoB projects that students from more than 250 UK colleges could also benefit from the bursary.
The new bursary comes amid the government’s plan to train 40,000 construction learners through Construction Technical Excellence Colleges by 2029 as part of efforts to amass the skilled workforce needed to deliver 1.5 million new homes alongside major infrastructure projects.
Eligible applicants to the BoB Bursary will be able to apply for support towards essential items including tools and equipment, PPE and workwear, as well as other items needed to support their training and development.
‘Construction needs the next generation’
The bursary is part of the charity’s Next Generation agenda, which aims to encourage more young people to consider construction and help develop the pipeline of skilled people in the industry.
Band of Builders CEO Gavin Crane says: “Construction needs the next generation, but we cannot simply tell young people that this is a fantastic industry and then leave them to overcome the practical barriers of getting started on their own.
“Through our work with colleges and learners, we’ve seen that the cost of tools, PPE and workwear can be a very real obstacle. For a young person at the beginning of their career, those costs can mean the difference between taking an opportunity and having to walk away from it.
“If we are serious about tackling the skills shortage and bringing tens of thousands of new people into construction, we have to remove those barriers.”
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