Project Description

Fife PSS builds construction skills

A recent collaboration between The Community Trade Hub and Fife PSS, which supports some of the most vulnerable young people in Fife. The project worked towards a ‘practical abilities’ award, allowing young people to develop skills in all aspects of construction, from plastering to joinery work. Of equal importance, the project foregrounded team building and allowed young people to develop ‘soft skills’ within the workplace.

The Community Trade Hub were really keen to get involved, to offer opportunities for ‘hands on construction experience’ to those furthest from the job market. The Community Trade Hub is passionate about training and youth development in the local area which translated into a fantastic opportunity and range of experiences for young people.

The pilot spanned the October to Christmas term, with young people attending the course one day a week to develop their skills. Young people were given the opportunity to try joinery, plastering, tiling, painting and decorating and were incredibly motivated to attend each week. Young people reported being surprised at their area of interest and were motivated to try all aspects of the construction trade, the event was an incredible space to develop confidence, skills and consolidate ideas about their future, with advice from professionals based in the Hub.

Eight young people across Fife were offered this opportunity, as a pilot for an under sixteen cohort to develop construction skills and attain a ‘practical abilities’ award. The outline allowed young people to see a future for themselves in the construction industry, allowing them to develop their skills in diverse areas.

Our young people went to the Hub with vague ideas about the trade they wanted to access post school. The Community Trade Hub offered ‘taster’ sessions which allowed them to test their skills and they often surprised themselves, it also translated into more concrete ideas about what they wanted to achieve in College.