Across the UK, and particularly in Wales, the construction industry is facing a widening skills gap. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in 2023, an extra 9,100 workers will be needed in Wales by 2027, or around 1,820 every year just to meet demand.
Despite this growing need, many young people who are motivated to enter the trades struggle to access the hands-on opportunities that would help them take that first, solid step. For young people in communities facing high economic deprivation, these barriers are even greater.
Traditional pathways can be expensive and competitive. Not to mention they are rarely designed with diverse learning needs in mind.
This inaccessibility isn’t just an oversight either, it’s having real consequences for young people.
The Centre for Social Justice’s recently released Lost Boys report highlights a wider challenge: many young men are ambitious and motivated but disconnected from the very systems meant to support them.
Rhys’s experience reflects that gap and the importance of community based solutions.
He had some construction experience but lacked the consistent opportunities and structure needed to build his confidence, gain qualifications, and move towards a career. But he was ready to change that.
Finding the Right Opportunity
When Rhys joined the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund supported Building Resilience in Communities project (BRiC), he was looking for a way to build on his experience and turn it into something more. He wanted something long-term that would challenge him, expand his skillset, and provide him with essential qualifications.
Community-focused projects like BRiC fill the gap for young people like Rhys. They provide an affordable and accessible route into practical learning. Creating a space where ambition is supported and goals become achievable through hands-on experience, something many formal routes miss.
“The reason I joined the project was that I was looking for some work that I could do in my off day from college. I’ve got experience in construction, but there’s always stuff I can learn…the project has really helped me get closer to my goals by putting me through my CSCS card. With that now, it has opened a lot more doors for me.”
Learning by Doing
We all learn in different ways. You could learn by picking up a book, while some need to be told and others can only learn by doing.
From the beginning, Rhys found that the project’s person-centred approach to learning made all the difference.He wasn’t just being told what to do, he was encouraged to try things himself, ask questions and build confidence through practice.
“For me, the most valuable thing about the project and the overall learning experience was the way the the tutors taught and supported me and the others.
They always respected what I had to say, or if I had an idea on how to make something easier to do, they’d be willing to try it out.
And when I told them I learn better by watching, they made sure to show me how to do something as many times as I needed.
It’s the kind of teaching style that really makes you feel confident and encourages you to trust yourself and make your own decisions.”
Education is never a ‘one size fits all’, especially in a sector like construction where practical learning is essential. Traditional routes don’t always offer the space to try, make mistakes, and learn through doing.
For Rhys, that’s exactly what he needed. By learning in a way that matched his style, he was able to take ownership of his progress and move from simply being interested in construction to actively building a pathway into it.
A Positive Future
Now that his time on the project has come to an end, Rhys feels ready to forge his own career in the industry. Leaving with practical experience, an accredited qualification, and a real sense of direction, what once felt like a difficult sector to break into now feels achievable.
“Now the project is over I think my next step will be to find a job in construction and put the skills I have learned to good use.”
The Role of Opportunity
Rhys’s story shows what’s possible when young people are given meaningful opportunities, tailored support, and the chance to gain real skills.
Through hands-on learning, person-centred guidance, and a recognised qualification, he has built confidence, expanded his skillset, and taken clear steps toward a career in construction.
Projects like BRiC demonstrate that when ambition is supported and barriers are removed, young people can turn motivation into achievement.
While national reports such as the Lost Boys highlight the wider challenges young men face in accessing opportunities, Rhys’s journey illustrates how the right environment can make a tangible difference.
Beyond his personal progression, the benefits ripple out to the community.
By developing skills, confidence, and purpose, young people like Rhys strengthen local networks, contribute to the workforce, and help address the construction skills shortages that affect us all.
His journey shows that investing in opportunity doesn’t only transform individual futures, it strengthens communities and supports the sectors we rely on.
“My advice to anyone joining the project: do it. Even if you do not have a clue what you’re doing or if you don’t know how to use tools, don’t let that scare you away. It helps you in every way, from tool use to teamwork, and it really opens up your future. Joining was one of my best decisions.”
