Empowering residents to pursue higher education
Addressing skills shortages and improving access to careers in construction requires earlier and more targeted engagement with schools and local communities.
In 2025, we continued to invest in education programmes designed to support under-represented groups and help build a more inclusive future workforce.
Activity focused on removing barriers for priority groups, including students with additional needs, young people not in education, employment or training and communities around major projects.
We designed and delivered targeted education and career activities across the business, including three bespoke STEM and careers sessions for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH). The programme adapted education resources for students with additional needs and helped develop new approaches for engaging priority groups. As a result, students gained a clearer understanding of STEM pathways and the range of careers available at Balfour Beatty and generated around £2.4k in social value.
A bespoke Business Administration Apprenticeship programme on the Lower Thames Crossing project also attracted 58 applicants – including 41 from the local community – leading to four apprentices joining the project in September 2025.
3
bespoke STEM and careers sessions delivered
£2.4k
in social value generated through education engagement
58
applicants for business apprenticeships
By working directly with schools, local authorities and project teams, we are helping create clearer routes into construction while supporting long‑term skills development and workforce resilience.
