Case Studies

Overview

SkillsHouse, in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), delivered a successful Jobs and Training Recruitment Fair aimed at creating inclusive and accessible pathways into the construction sector. Held at the iconic Bradford City Hall, the event brought together major regional employers, key support partners, and over 100 job seekers from across the Bradford district.

Objectives

The fair was designed to:

• Connect Bradford residents with construction employment opportunities across the region.
• Promote inclusive entry routes into the sector, ensuring opportunities were accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels.
• Strengthen employer engagement by linking major Yorkshire-based construction companies with local talent.
• Provide holistic employability support through partner organisations offering training, skills development, and work‑readiness assistance.

Employer Participation

Five major Yorkshire-based employers attended, each showcasing their Bradford-based vacancies and career pathways:

• Morgan Sindall
• Bagnalls
• Robertson
• Equans
• Connolly

Employers promoted opportunities ranging from skilled trades and entry‑level roles to apprenticeships and professional positions in areas such as management, engineering, and site operations. Their presence helped highlight the breadth of careers available within the construction industry.

Partner Organisations

To ensure job seekers received wrap‑around support, six partner organisations attended, including:

• SmartWorks – offering confidence‑building support, interview clothing, and coaching
• Skills for Work – providing employability programmes and sector‑specific training
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – supporting candidates with job search, benefits guidance, and employment pathways
• Additional training and skills partners supporting with CSCS cards, construction training, and careers advice

These partners played a vital role in equipping attendees with the right preparation, qualifications, and guidance to make successful applications.

Attendance & Impact

The fair attracted over 100 job seekers throughout the day, representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and career stages. Attendees included:

• Young people exploring apprenticeships
• Adults seeking career changes
• Individuals returning to employment
• People facing challenges or barriers to work

Key Outcomes

• Employers engaged in dozens of meaningful discussions with potential candidates.
• Many attendees were signposted to interviews, application processes, or immediate vacancy opportunities.
• Several job seekers were supported in enrolling for CSCS training, employability programmes, and construction-specific skills courses.
• The event strengthened collaboration between SkillsHouse, CITB, employers, and community partners, supporting the long-term goal of building a skilled and inclusive local construction workforce.

Feedback

Employers praised the event’s organisation and valued the opportunity to connect with motivated job seekers who were specifically interested in construction opportunities.

Job seekers appreciated the warm, supportive atmosphere and the ability to speak directly with multiple employers and support agencies in a single location.

Partner organisations highlighted the positive collaborative environment and the benefits of working jointly to support Bradford residents into sustainable employment.

Conclusion

The SkillsHouse & CITB Jobs and Training Recruitment Fair demonstrated the strength of partnership working in creating inclusive pathways into construction. By uniting employers such as Morgan Sindall, Bagnalls, Robertson, Equans, and Connolly with essential support partners including SmartWorks, Skills for Work, and the DWP, the event significantly contributed to improving employment outcomes for Bradford residents.

SkillsHouse looks forward to building on this success and continuing to support the region’s construction workforce needs through future events and collaborative initiatives.