Project Summary

Challenge

The construction industry has a growing need for skilled workers, yet many groups remain underrepresented across the sector. Women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people and other underrepresented groups continue to face barriers to entering and progressing in construction.

While many organisations have introduced equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, meaningful cultural change can be slow. There is a need to create more inclusive workplaces and improve access to careers in construction for diverse and disadvantaged young people.

Creating lasting change requires action across the industry. Employers and future employees must work together to develop inclusive behaviours, challenge barriers and build workplace cultures where everyone can thrive.

Solution

O'Halloran & O'Brien developed “Change Your Script” (CYS), an innovative programme designed to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across construction businesses while simultaneously supporting more diverse young people to enter the industry.

The Change Your Script (CYS) programme is a structured pre-employment and mentorship initiative designed to support individuals with little or no prior experience into the construction industry. The programme combines practical bootcamp training, industry-recognised qualifications (including CSCS certification), and structured site-based mentorship to improve employability, confidence, and workforce readiness.

The programme combines a top-down approach focused on employers and workplace culture with a bottom-up approach focused on young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

Participants undertake a combination of employability and construction-specific training covering:

• Careers and opportunities in construction

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion awareness

• Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR)

• Teamworking and communication skills

• Confidence building and personal development

• Interview preparation and employability skills

• Health and Safety

• CSCS preparation

• Site-ready construction skills

• Mental health and resilience.

Outcomes

Resources

To access the free training materials from this project, please email IndustryImpactFund@citb.co.uk, and a member of the team will contact you.