A new, two-year careers programme aimed at putting local young people on routes into construction will include pupils from Hammersmith and Fulham as part of a nine-school roll-out across three west London boroughs.
Practical pathways linked to Old Oak project
The programme, which begins in September 2026, is expected to involve about 1,800 students. It is delivered by Construction Youth Trust in partnership with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and will run in schools across Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham.
Participants will meet employers engaged on the Old Oak regeneration, attend workshops and take part in site visits. The scheme is designed to expose pupils to a wide range of roles within the built environment, from engineering and architecture to trades such as carpentry and plumbing, and to offer routes into apprenticeships, further study and employment.
Local regeneration means local opportunity, say organisers
Old Oak is a large-scale regeneration project in west London. Plans associated with it envisage as many as 11,000 jobs and roughly 8,000 new homes being created as the scheme progresses, and the new careers programme is intended to help nearby young people access those opportunities.
“Old Oak will create thousands of opportunities, and we want local young people to be first in line,”
said Matthew Carpen, chief executive of the OPDC. He described the partnership with the Construction Youth Trust as a practical response to the barriers some young people face when trying to enter the workplace.
“Through this partnership, we will connect young people with inspiring industry professionals, behind the scenes site visits, meaningful work experience opportunities and, ultimately, pathways into apprenticeships, further education and employment.”
Those comments came from Carol Lynch, chief executive of Construction Youth Trust.
How the programme will work
Although full timetables for each school are yet to be published, the scheme is expected to include:
- Employer talks and mentoring sessions
- Workshops showcasing different career routes in construction
- Guided site visits to active projects connected to Old Oak
- Support with applying for apprenticeships and vocational training
Ark Acton Academy is among the schools named as taking part. The ambition is to provide meaningful, hands-on exposure so pupils can make informed decisions about further education or vocational routes.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Students involved | 1,800 |
| Number of schools | 9 |
| Programme length | 2 years (from Sept 2026) |
For families and pupils in Hammersmith and Fulham, the programme represents a local route into a sector that is likely to expand as nearby regeneration gathers pace. Schools involved will share details with pupils and parents about how to take part when the autumn term begins.
Further information about the Old Oak regeneration and opportunities connected to it can be found via the OPDC. The Construction Youth Trust also provides resources for young people considering construction careers.
This scheme follows growing emphasis from local authorities and developers on connecting major building projects with community training and employment, ensuring investment in the capital helps residents access the jobs that are created close to home.
