What we do

Windermere have been delivering construction training to young people aged 14-16 year-olds (year. 10 and 11) from both main stream education and a range of educational projects since 1991. We work with up to 15 schools and 180 young people a week. The aim is to offer every candidate the opportunity to study for, and achieve a Foundation Award in Construction. This is awarded by the C.I.T.B. and certificated by the City and Guilds. The qualification allows attendees to study at their own rate and achieve units as they pass the various tests. Therefore the candidates that join us in year 11 are encouraged to aim for 4 units, and those that join in year 10 have the opportunity to study for the full certificate (6 units).

Windermere works with a number of inner and outer London Boroughs and are presently one of the founder members of the Bromley Flexible Learning Programme.

We are presently working in partnership with the construction company Llewellyn Roc. and their partners St Mary’s Community Centre to develop the skills of a group of 10 young people from the local community school. These candidates are studying with us for one session a week over two years and are afforded the opportunity of on-site work experience with Llewellyn Roc who are developing the community centre and upgrading the housing on their estate.

In the interest of constant improvement we are always looking for construction companies to visit the project and see the candidates at work and look at their portfolios with a view to future employment

Between the ages of 14 to 19 years marks a critical phase in young people’s lives. It is the period when they build on their earlier learning and prepare for adult life and employment. Many young people make this transition well,  but many do not. Too many young people lose interest in learning before the age of 16 and as a result many of them drop out of formal learning. Moreover, too many of those who remain fail to reach their full potential.

Windermere Construction Skills offers a change and flexibility of curriculum that allows pupils to follow programmes more suited to their needs and aptitudes. The Government has recognised the importance of “increased flexibility” for 14 – 16 year olds and has developed a programme under the auspices of the Learning Skills Council to give young people access to specialist vocational teaching. Windermere Construction Skills is working in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley as a “pathfinder” in identifying models of collaborative working and best practice.