Building Lives to close this month

Grant Prior 9 years ago
Share

Construction training charity Building Lives will close at the end of this month.

The move comes after the organisation ran out of money and lost hope of securing more funds from the Construction Industry Training Board.

Donations from construction companies raised £400,000 for the charity to keep it going in the short-term last year.

Steve Radley, Director of Policy at CITB, said: “We have given a clear outline of our funding criteria, which we agreed with industry through extensive consultation last year.

“Crucially, all applications must be employer-led. Funding will be given only if other sources of funding are not available.

“Applicants must also provide solid evidence of how their project will benefit industry.”

Building Lives said: “Given the skills crisis in London, it is incredibly disappointing that we are unable to continue with our model, especially as it provides huge value for money for the tax payer.”

The orgaisation’s 16 staff are being made redundant while “training academies will be handed back to Building Lives’ partners to determine their future purpose from 30 June 2016.”

Building Lives was started by Lakehouse founder Steve Rawlings in 2010.

Building Lives Managing Director Sian Workman said: “In order to continue operating for another year, Building Lives needed £900,000 to deliver 380 Careerships across four Training Academies based in the heart of London Council Estates.

“That’s a drop in the ocean compared to how much money is spent for no guaranteed job outcomes.

“The bottom line is, although a Careership may not have fitted with existing government funding criteria, it led to real construction jobs, helping reduce unemployment and the skills shortage – ultimately, benefiting us all.

“I am deeply disappointed we have failed in our attempts to secure the financial support needed from government and the construction sector to continue. However, I am also incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished since Building Lives first opened its doors.

“Proud that we dared to be different and in the process supported more than a thousand people into construction careers.”

Latest news

Balfour Beatty terminates Danny Sullivan labour deals

Around 500 workers on HS2 will be moved to alternative agencies or be taken on direct
1 day ago

Trio face prosecution after Hinkley site death

Main contractors and client to face charges over death of site supervisor
1 day ago

Buyers see recovery in house building sector

But civil and commercial work still in the doldrums
2 days ago

Apprentice saws-off thumb on hotel refurb site

Court hears how digit was reattached and teenager continued training with another firm
2 days ago

Laing O’Rourke tops June contracts league

£919m animal super lab dominates new orders
2 days ago

TSL turnover smashes £500m as profit almost trebles

Data centre and logistics contractor rises high on surging demand
2 days ago

Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

Management revamp after "challenging" year
2 days ago

Green light for 1,600-home Oldham town centre overhaul

Plans for over 1,600 homes across six regeneration sites approved
2 days ago

DSM wins Norwich city centre clearance job

Anglia Square shopping centre clearance for £300m scheme
2 days ago

13-year-old becomes UK’s youngest qualified digger driver

Grandson of Gallagher Group chairman sets industry record
2 days ago

Cubby reborn in £12m Svella-backed takeover

£50m revenue target set as 14 firms combine under new Cubby Group banner
3 days ago

North East NHS trusts plot £3bn health estate overhaul

Market engagement begins for major construction push across four trusts
3 days ago

HG goes green on cranes in £1.2m switch to battery power

Diesel-free crane drive cuts fuel bills by 94%
3 days ago

Developer fined £165,000 for fire safety failings

Firm ignored fire safety orders on apartment job in Preston
3 days ago

Bidding to start for £1.8bn North West framework

Contractors invited to bid for latest Procure Partnerships deal
3 days ago

Hill hits record £90m profit as homes pipeline swells

Build-to-rent push and £4.8bn contracting book to fuel next growth phase
4 days ago

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
4 days ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
4 days ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
4 days ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
5 days ago

How to see your stories on the Enquirer

Join our Suppliers and Buyers directory to get your news published
4 days ago

Henley lands Midland Mill revamp on Leeds tower scheme

Restoration of 18th-century mill kicks off on South Bank regeneration project
4 days ago

New boss at Eric Wright Civil Engineering

Gavin Hulme takes top job as Diane Bourne moves to group role
4 days ago

Pinewood submits £1bn data centre plan

Studio giant adds green and learning spaces to tech hub blueprint
5 days ago

Record results after TClarke goes private

Britain's biggest M&E contractor flourishes after de-listing
5 days ago

Dalkia lands £200m nuclear maintenance deal

1,000 nuclear FM staff to join M&E contractor
5 days ago

Construction comeback to outpace wider economy

Arcadis forecast fueled by spending review optimism
6 days ago

First steel goes up on giant car battery site

Severfield gets to work on McAlpine Somerset site
6 days ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Bovis city tower

Facade specialist lands package at 60 Gracechurch Street
5 days ago

Fox buys recycled asphalt specialist Fisher

Acquisition adds major recycled asphalt capacity in north west
6 days ago