Following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to ‘value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap’, independent housebuilder Dandara is demonstrating how early careers programmes such as T Level placements can help inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
Dandara is supporting a wide range of initiatives to encourage more young people to enter and progress in the industry. Along with site visits and interview preparation, this year, it welcomed two students – Olivia Roberts and Clark Fuller – to its South East divisional office in Turnbridge Wells for work placements as part of their T Level Construction courses at North Kent College.
While with Dandara, the pair are building experience, developing practical skills and gaining a broader understanding of the many different roles across the business from technical, sales, finance and land and planning. They will also be learning the crucial, fast evolving green skills required to future proof homes as the industry continues its drive to meet the UK Government target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
Lesley Treacy, Head of ESG at Dandara, said:
“The construction industry has a huge opportunity to reshape how young people think about careers in housebuilding. Too often, the focus is on traditional trades, when in reality the sector offers exciting careers across planning, design, engineering, sustainability, finance, land and customer experience.
“Placements like these are invaluable because they allow students to experience the industry first-hand and build the skills and confidence they’ll need for the future. At the same time, they help employers develop the talent pipeline that’s essential if we’re to tackle the industry’s long-term skills shortage.
“We’re particularly passionate about encouraging more women and underrepresented groups into construction. A more diverse workforce brings fresh ideas, different perspectives and ultimately strengthens the industry for the future.”
Lucy Clark, Regional Knowledge Centre Project Manager, South East Construction Technical Excellence College (SECTEC), North Kent College Hub, said:
“We have been working with Dandara for over a year on our T Level placements, and the experience has been outstanding. The process has been structured, well‑planned, and incredibly thorough. From organising mock interviews to supporting the selection of potential candidates, Dandara has been with us and our students at every step. Their commitment has helped our learners grow in confidence, fully engage with industry practice, and genuinely enjoy their placements. It’s a partnership that continues to make a real difference.”
To find out more about the opportunities available at Dandara, please visit: https://careers.dandara.com/.