Education & Training

BuildForce commissioned the University of the Built Environment to pre-employment learning interventions, based on employer and veteran research. This is a first for industry and the military community.

These online certified learning modules will provide ex-military with knowledge that will enable them to take the first step towards becoming site and employment ready, i.e. gain an understanding of the construction industry as defined by employers. For example: how a construction project and a construction site operate, roles and career pathways, specific knowledge/understanding required by employers, overcoming barriers faced by ex-military. 

These bespoke modules are developed through qualitative and quantitative research using surveys, along with veteran and employer focus groups. This research identified the particular issues/challenges faced by ex-military and employers and created content designed to resolve these issues. 

The outcomes of these transferable pre-employment learning modules are: 

• increased knowledge as to the understanding and specific attributes that employers are seeking from ex-military, and the challenges that ex-military face upon seeking to access careers in industry ;
• increased awareness of ex-military as to the opportunities that construction offers them;
• greater numbers of ex-military gaining an increased, certified and employer-led awareness and understanding of the construction industry and the opportunities that it offers for them; 
• a reduction in ex-military falling at a potential hurdle that other ex-military have experienced (through learning being based on the guidance of other ex-military personnel);
• more ex-military being able to evidence to employers their interest and commitment to finding a career in industry through having undertaken the module (and gaining certification through a multiple-choice test at the end of the learning);
• more ex-military gaining knowledge of careers in the professions referenced, and increasing their attractiveness to employers; and
• greater numbers of ex-military accessing careers in construction, therefore contributing to a reduction in skills shortages.

Onward Learning

Upon completion of the modules, certification will be gained from University of the Built Environment (UBE) and this accreditation can be used as evidence to employers of the individual’s knowledge of and commitment to a particular profession.

The University of the Built Environment accreditation will also come with a commitment from UBE that the individual is guaranteed a place on a relevant UBE course for onward learning. This offer can be taken up as the individual moves into employment.