Construction boot camp re-opens at Kidbrooke Village

: Created: 06 May 2021

Starting in April after nearly a year impeded by the Covid pandemic and successive lockdowns, the boot camp has made its return offering a high-quality, intensive, six-week training course in bricklaying and tiling to young people needing a boost to their chances of securing employment in the construction industry.

Austin Tyler, 20 and from Bromley, signed up for the course in March after spending a year unemployed because of the pandemic. He is just four weeks in and has already been chosen by local building firm Lex Building Solutions Ltd to start work after the successful completion of his course in May.

Austin says: “I heard about this opportunity through the JobCentre Plus and was referred to the College’s Youth Hub for an interview. It all sounded like a very plausible way of getting myself back into work and after being accepted, I suddenly felt more hopeful about getting a job again - one that would give me some scope and capacity to progress onto higher level courses and higher positions.

“And it’s been great. I’m really enjoying it and can’t believe how much I’ve learnt in such a short time. I’d never even lifted a brick before this and now I’m building walls, corners, piers, decorative features and much more. It’s like I was made to do this.

"What is best of all is that I’ve had an interview and a trial workday with Lex and they want to take me on full time as a bricklayer. I’m really excited and can’t wait to get started.”

Fellow student Suliaman Bah is also full of hope since beginning his course. Suliaman says: “I’m a big fan of the great outdoors and looking for a new job landscaping or bricklaying. I love it here and it feels so long since I’ve had a chance to get some proper training because of the lockdowns.

“One day, I’d like to design and build my own house - maybe even start my own building firm too. At last I can start having ambitions again and think about the future with positivity and confidence.”

This six-week, fully hands-on practical course will help you to achieve a MultiSkills Level 1 course in bricklaying, painting and tiling, a Health and Safety Level 1 Certificate and CSCS Card allowing you to work on a building site as an operative.

Course tutor, Tony Gallagher says: “We’ve had an intake of very ambitious students and trainees for this first boot camp cohort since lockdown restrictions have eased. It’s as though they are super-eager to get started again and back into employment after losing so much time to the pandemic. They are enthusiastic, progressing well, applying for jobs and asking lots of questions.”

If you think you have what it takes to become a construction trade professional and would like to build a successful career in the building services and built environment industries, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of courses and apprenticeship opportunities to get you started. Join us for one of our Virtual Open Events this term.