A bridge to confidence – and to a career in construction
Our Bridge to a Career in Construction programme, delivered in partnership with Mace, opens up the built environment sector up to young people who may not otherwise have access to it. Through industry insight, professional development and a residential experience, the programme helps participants to build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in construction.
The Talent Foundry alumni Zion and Celestine took part in the programme in 2024-25. Before taking part, they both had limited awareness of the range of opportunities within the built environment, and little familiarity with our partner, Mace. Applying for the Bridge programme started out as an opportunity to gain experience but ended up being a turning point, shaping their career paths.
During her time on the programme, Zion enjoyed exploring different job roles and opportunities, exploring what career pathways were available. The interactive activities enabled her to gain a strong understanding of Mace’s values, while gaining an insight into daily life as an apprentice. Through coaching and practical exercises, she learned that making mistakes was to be expected, but that staying calm and trusting her preparation is key – especially in interviews and assessment centres.
Everything I’ve learned on the programme has benefitted me throughout the whole process, especially when it comes to team building, collaboration and dealing with different personalities.
For Zion, the residential part of the programme was a highlight, helping her to develop key soft skills including confidence, communication, adaptability and resilience, offering a supportive environment in which to explore her future and build long-lasting connections.
The programme was equally life-changing for Celestine. Alongside building key skills and learning about industry, she highlighted finding a strong sense of community among peers with common interests:
I’ve got so many memories from that trip that I don’t think I’ll ever forget, honestly. And I made a lot of friends through it as well. People I still talk to now.
Receiving feedback from volunteers and mentors, alongside having the chance to practice interview techniques and assessment centre tasks, helped further strengthen Celestine’s confidence. She particularly valued the programme’s broad focus on the sector, not just on Mace:
The programme made me aware that the construction industry is like a family, so even though they’re all individual companies, they still want to encourage people to work in construction regardless of which company they work at.
Being pushed outside of their comfort zones enabled both young women to overcome barriers and embrace new challenges. They began to realise that many of their initial worries could be surpassed, building solid foundations for a future in the built environment sector. Celestine remarked:
You just have to go for it. I think that was one of the skills I picked up from the Bridge project.
Following the programme, both Zion and Celestine successfully secured apprenticeships at Mace, an outcome they attribute directly to the confidence, skills and awareness they gained through Bridge. For Celestine, the programme inspired her to aim even higher and apply for a management position. For Zion, Bridge opened doors to an industry she may not otherwise have considered.
The programme made what was once unfamiliar and out of reach become achievable, and we couldn’t be prouder of the success of our alumni. Now experiencing success and fulfilment in their roles, both young women are also paving the way for those who follow, sharing their experiences and encouraging the next generation of students to explore careers in the built environment.
If you’re interested in our free employability and career readiness workshops for your students, head to our programmes page.