A pioneering construction training programme in London is helping women fast‑track into skilled plant operator roles, as demand continues to grow across the capital’s construction sector. The initiative, delivered by The Skills Centre in partnership with skills charity NOCN Group, offers intensive construction bootcamps designed to equip learners with the practical experience and industry‑recognised qualifications needed to operate construction plant machinery safely and effectively.
Central to the programme is accreditation through the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS), one of the most widely recognised standards in the construction industry. By completing the bootcamp, learners gain hands‑on training alongside the certification required to work on site, creating a clear pathway into employment.
Training takes place at The Skills Centre’s Earl’s Court facility, the only dedicated CPCS training site in London. The central location provides learners with access to specialist equipment and realistic operating environments, allowing them to develop skills in conditions that mirror live construction sites.
Delivered multiple times throughout the year, the bootcamp model has been designed to remove traditional barriers to entry into the industry. Intensive and focused, the programme enables learners to gain qualifications quickly and move directly into job opportunities. Each year, hundreds of participants complete the training, with many progressing straight into roles supporting major construction projects across London and the south east.
By expanding access to CPCS‑accredited training within central London, the partnership aims to ensure more people can benefit from these opportunities, supporting both workforce development and the delivery of the capital’s future infrastructure.
The latest female‑focused bootcamp launched shortly after this year’s International Women’s Day. One of the participants was former farmer Charley Lillington, who is now pursuing a new career in construction.
Charley said she was drawn to the industry by her enjoyment of driving machinery and working in an active, outdoor environment.
“I like driving machines and I think I’m good at it. I couldn’t be in an office. I love being active and being outdoors,” she said. “I came to do this course and passed it, and now I want to progress onto other things.
“Everyone has a starting point. It’s a new industry for me, but one that could give me the chance to have a stable life and earn enough to live. The cost of living was going up, but my wages weren’t.”
She described the bootcamp as a positive turning point, highlighting the quality of the training and the opportunities it has opened up.
“This has been a great opportunity. I’ve had great training and it shows what can be done when you’re good at something. If you don’t want to sit in an office all day, you can go and be the people building the office,” she said.
Charley encouraged other women to consider careers in construction, acknowledging that while the industry remains male‑dominated, change is already happening.
“I’d put the message out there to any woman: if you’re good at something, go for it. The more of us that join, the less male‑dominated it will be. There are more and more women coming into the industry,” she added.
With construction activity continuing at pace across the capital, industry leaders say initiatives like these are playing a growing role in tackling skills shortages while opening up new career pathways for local people.
Matt Strutt, Centre Director at The Skills Centre, said the programme’s focus on local participation was key.
“The most important thing is that we’re delivering training for local people,” he said. “We work on big developments across the country, and our passion is to get local people into sustainable employment on these major projects.
“This female bootcamp isn’t just about fairness. The industry has a significant skills gap, and if we’re only drawing from half of the available workforce, we’re not going to solve the workforce challenges we’re facing.”