Strengthening skills and opportunities: Building Plymouth’s march drop in success

Throughout March, we at Building Plymouth were delighted to host a series of construction focused drop in sessions at Skills Launchpad Plymouth, bringing together valued partners Clarion Futures, Skills Group, and Gwella Contracting Services. These sessions formed a key part of our mission to inspire local people, raise awareness of the many careers available across the construction and built environment sector, and support residents into sustainable employment.

By working closely with our partners, we ensured visitors had direct access to industry expertise and practical, one to one guidance. Each organisation offered something different—from training pathways and accredited courses to live vacancies and work experience opportunities—giving individuals a clear understanding of how they can start or progress their construction career. These conversations helped visitors gain confidence, identify their next steps, and access tailored support suited to their goals.

We are proud of the collaborative environment these sessions created. By connecting Plymouth residents with employers and training providers in an informal setting, we were able to break down barriers, encourage open conversation, and highlight the wide range of pathways available, including apprenticeships, skilled trades, technical roles, and management careers. Many attendees left the sessions with increased motivation and practical actions they could take immediately.

These events demonstrate the ongoing importance of partnership working in supporting the city’s skills and employment landscape. As demand for construction talent continues to grow, we remain dedicated to ensuring local people are aware of the opportunities available and feel supported to take their next steps.

At Building Plymouth, we are committed to championing the sector, strengthening Plymouth’s future workforce, and helping residents build the skills and confidence needed to thrive. We look forward to welcoming more partner organisations and local people to future sessions as we continue to build ambition, capability, and careers across the city.