What Construction Youth Trust does

Construction Youth Trust (CYT) is a UK social mobility charity, registered in England and Wales (Charity no. 1094323, Company no. 04461612), headquartered in Westminster, London, with operations across London and North Kent. Founded in 1961, the charity serves disadvantaged young people aged 14–24, connecting them to careers and apprenticeships in the construction and built environment sector. Its core portfolio comprises four programmes: Discovering Future Careers (school and college career awareness), Experiencing the World of Work (immersive work placements), Pathways to Professional Careers (coaching for higher-level and degree apprenticeships for 16–18 year olds), and Building Opportunities (intensive long-term coaching for NEET and at-risk youth). Sub-programmes include Building Future Skills and the Educational Engagement Programme delivered jointly with Places for London (TfL's commercial property company) and its joint venture partners.

The organisation does not sell services in a commercial sense; instead it delivers programmes free of charge to young people, funded through a mix of corporate partnerships (Canary Wharf Contractors Fund, Multiplex, Dornan Engineering, Turner & Townsend, Canary Wharf, Landsec, British Land, Wates, Sir Robert McAlpine, Morgan Sindall), charitable foundations (Haberdashers' Company, Garfield Weston, Henry Smith Charity, Mercers, Merchant Taylors, John Lyons Charity, KC Foundation, Shanly Foundation, Grosvenor, CHK Foundation, John Laing, Goodman, Stanhope, Redevco, Ebsfleet), grant funders (National Lottery Community Fund), individual donations and legacies, and challenge-event fundraising (TCS London Marathon charity places, golf days, mountain climbs). Its operational network spans 253+ active employer partners and 60+ partner schools and colleges, with 14,475 young people supported in 2025 and 1,140+ currently in intensive targeted programmes.

The technology stack is minimal and not a focus: there is no public-facing app, no API, no proprietary software product, and no disclosed AI capability. Operational technology investments are limited to compliance-grade security (Cyber Essentials Plus certification) and data protection (GDPR-aligned policies). Distribution is entirely human-led — coaches embedded in schools, community referrals via youth offending teams and youth clubs, and employer-driven apprenticeship matching — making the organisation essentially a labour-intensive services and intermediation charity rather than a technology platform.

Name

Construction Youth Trust

Legal name

Construction Youth Trust

Website

https://constructionyouth.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Construction Youth Trust is a UK social mobility charity, founded in 1961 and based in London, that connects disadvantaged young people aged 14-24 to careers and apprenticeships in the construction and built environment sector through coaching, work experience, and a network of 253+ employer partners across London and North Kent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Employment Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth employment programs
• Construction career pathways
• Social mobility charity
• Apprenticeship support services
• Work experience placements

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Funding: The charity receives funding from corporate partners in the construction and built environment sector. Partners fund specific programmes, provide in-kind support (volunteering, work experience placements), and make charitable donations. Major partners include Canary Wharf Contractors Fund (£75,000+ donated since 2023), Multiplex (over £33,000 raised in 2025), and Dornan Engineering (£26,000 raised in 2025).
2. Individual Donations and Legacies: The charity accepts direct donations from individuals, including legacy gifts (bequests in wills). The Simon Frawley Legacy Award accepts donations in memory of the late Simon Frawley through a dedicated JustGiving page.
3. Challenge Events and Fundraising: The charity organises and participates in fundraising events including the TCS London Marathon, challenge events (running, cycling, climbing), golf days, and corporate team events. Runners must meet fundraising targets (e.g., £2,750 for London Marathon).
4. Charity Places for Events: Construction Youth Trust receives allocated charity places at major sporting events (e.g., TCS London Marathon) and offers these to supporters in exchange for registration fees and fundraising commitments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Construction Youth Trust is a UK social mobility charity that delivers free coaching, work experience, and career pathway programmes connecting disadvantaged young people aged 14-24 with employers in the construction and built environment sector. Its core offerings span career awareness in schools, immersive work placements, intensive 1-2-1 coaching for NEET and at-risk youth, and apprenticeship pathways, primarily delivered across London and North Kent through a network of 253+ employer partners and 60+ schools.

Product overview

Construction Youth Trust operates as a social mobility charity offering a portfolio of interconnected programmes that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into careers in the construction and built environment sector. The core offering consists of four main programmes: Discovering Future Careers (career awareness for schools), Experiencing the World of Work (work placements), Pathways to Professional Careers (apprenticeship support for 16-18 year olds), and Building Opportunities (intensive coaching for NEET young people). These are complemented by specialised initiatives including Building Future Skills, the Educational Engagement Programme partnership, and Live Vacancies employer events. The organisation also produces resources such as the Work Experience Insights Guide. Together, these programmes provide a pathway from initial career awareness through to employment and professional career outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discovering Future Careers A school and college-based programme that introduces young people to modern career opportunities in the construction and built environment sector, helping them understand emerging job roles and career pathways. Delivered in 60+ partner schools and colleges across London and North Kent.
• Experiencing the World of Work Work experience and immersive world-of-work programme that connects young people with industry volunteers and employers to develop employability skills. 1,519 young people attended immersive world-of-work experiences in 2024, with 88% reporting a good understanding of built environment careers.
• Pathways to Professional Careers Intensive programme supporting 16-18 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher-level and degree apprenticeships through 1-2-1 coaching, employer workshops, and mock interviews. 311 young people currently being supported, with 86% achieving a meaningful EET (Education, Employment or Training) outcome.
• Building Opportunities Intensive coaching programme for disadvantaged young people who are NEET or at-risk, providing long-term 1-2-1 coaching, employer engagement, and targeted support to help them transition into employment, education or training. 473 unemployed young people supported in 2024, with 80% of long-term participants progressing to employment.
• Building Future Skills Immersive programme for young people aged 16-18 that uses teamwork exercises, industry role simulations and VR to discover careers in construction and build knowledge, skills and confidence. Hosted in partnership with employers such as Multiplex.
• Educational Engagement Programme Three-year partnership programme with Places for London (Transport for London's property company) and joint venture development partners Barratt London, The Earls Court Development Company, Fastned, Grainger plc and Helical, delivering inspirational workshops and intensive employability programmes for children and young people across London schools.
• Live Vacancies Events CYT-facilitated events that connect young people directly to employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities, featuring presentations, Q&A sessions, and mock interviews. Run annually with employers such as Turner & Townsend.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,475 young people supported in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• MultiplexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate charity partner for 2025, raising over £33,000 through a clay pigeon shoot event. Regularly offers volunteers and work experience opportunities, and partnered to host the immersive Building Future Skills programme. Committed to enabling young people to thrive in construction careers regardless of background.
• Turner & TownsendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of CYT's most committed employer partners, delivering consistent work experience placements, hundreds of volunteering hours annually, and an annual 'CYT Live Vacancies' event showcasing apprenticeship opportunities. Supported 7 young people into higher-level apprenticeships in 2025/2026 through the Pathways programme.
• Dornan EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted industry partner raising £26,000 in 2025 through their Annual Charity Golf Day. Connected young people to apprenticeship opportunities including a Level 6 BIM apprenticeship for Katarina. Active partner in the five-year Broadgate Future Talent initiative, supporting volunteers for Building Future Skills programmes.
• Places for LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport for London's wholly owned commercial property company. Lead partner in the three-year Educational Engagement Programme delivering inspirational workshops and intensive employability programmes for thousands of young people in schools across London. Works with joint venture development partners.
• Barratt LondonkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Places for London's Educational Engagement Programme. Offers work experience placements and career opportunities for young people through the partnership.
• The Earls Court Development CompanykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Places for London's Educational Engagement Programme, contributing to career engagement activities for young Londoners.
• FastnedkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Places for London's Educational Engagement Programme. Offered first work experience placements through the programme in 2026, with students examining EV charging hub development and Net Zero transition.
• Grainger plckeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Places for London's Educational Engagement Programme, contributing to employer engagement and work experience opportunities.
• Helical plckeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Places for London's Educational Engagement Programme, providing employer engagement and placement opportunities.
• Sir Robert McAlpinekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor construction company and employer partner offering work experience and career opportunities to young people through CYT programmes.
• Morgan SindallkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in the construction and built environment sector, offering placements and career pathways.
• LandseckeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty developer and employer partner collaborating with Construction Youth Trust on career pathway programmes.
• British LandkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty developer and employer partner supporting CYT's work with young people in the built environment sector.
• WateskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company and employer partner supporting the charity's programmes through volunteering and placement opportunities.
• Phoenix MEkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus on Broadgate Future Talent project, delivering mentoring and work experience placements. Extended support to include fundraising, raising £1,500 through a five-a-side football tournament. Committed to tackling the skills shortage through supporting youth employment routes into construction.
• Briggs & ForrestersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the Wolf Run challenge event, raising funds in aid of CYT. A 14-strong team completed the 5km or 10km obstacle course.
• Tilbury DouglassupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate cohort of 2025 climbed Mount Snowdon in support of CYT, raising nearly £1,700. The challenge combined endurance, teamwork and determination.
• Salisbury JoinerysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrated 50th anniversary with charity fundraiser, walking a combined 50 miles and raising over £1,000. Long-standing supporter of the construction industry committed to opening doors for the next generation.
• Ruddy JoinerysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeam of 21 colleagues climbed Snowdon in September 2025, raising nearly £13,700. The fundraiser brought together site, factory and office staff united around supporting young people in construction.
• Woody's ConcretesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaised over £300 through a prize raffle at their annual Open Workshop day, introducing a fundraising element to their community event.
• BidwellssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty consultancy that organised a site visit to the redevelopment of Borehamwood Girls' School for young people on the Building Opportunities programme, enabling them to meet professionals including apprentice project managers and structural engineers.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Movement to Work: UK coalition of major employers (including several construction firms) focused on creating employment pathways for disadvantaged young people. Comparable beneficiary cohort and employer-led placement model, though operating as a network rather than direct deliverer.
• Catch22: UK social-purpose charity running employability, education and skills programmes for vulnerable young people, including construction-sector pathways. Comparable coaching-led model and NEET beneficiary focus, though portfolio is broader than construction.
• The Prince's Trust: UK's largest youth employment charity, supporting disadvantaged 11–30 year olds into education, training and work via coaching, mentoring and employer partnerships. Comparable mission, beneficiary profile, and employer-engagement model, though broader than construction-only.
• Career Ready: UK charity linking secondary and FE students with employer mentors, paid internships and workplace experiences. Operates a near-identical employer-mediated youth-workflow model with strong outcomes measurement, making it the closest comparable in delivery mechanics.

Others

• Sutton Trust: UK social-mobility charity focused on educational access and pathways into professional careers. Shares the disadvantaged-youth social-mobility mandate that underpins CYT's mission, though operating via research/policy influence rather than direct delivery.
• EngineeringUK: UK charity promoting engineering careers and skills pathways. Overlaps with CYT's built-environment/career-awareness remit and engages similar employer audiences, though engineering-focused rather than construction-specific.

Broad incumbents

• UK Youth: National umbrella and capacity-builder for a network of youth organisations. Broader mission and scale than CYT, but comparable beneficiary population (disadvantaged UK youth) and employer-engagement themes.
• YMCA England & Wales: Large UK charity delivering housing, health, education and training programmes including youth employment and apprenticeship routes. Significantly larger and broader, but overlaps on youth employability and employer-led pathways.

Emerging players

• The Talent Foundry: UK charity connecting school students with employers through workplace workshops, mentoring and employability programmes. Comparable school-embedded delivery model, though not construction-specific.
• The 5% Club: UK employer-led campaign encouraging businesses to offer 'earn and learn' routes including apprenticeships. Shares the apprenticeship-funnel value proposition that drives CYT's placements, but is a campaign/policy body rather than direct programme deliverer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ConstructionYT
• Facebookfacebook.com/constructionyouthtrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/construction-youth-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/constructionyouthtrust

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Construction Youth Trust