The London Construction Academy (LCA) provides free, life-changing training that helps people gain skills, qualifications and employment in the construction industry to help tackle London’s construction skill shortage.

The LCA is an independent charity founded by the Worshipful Company of Paviors and FM Conway. For over a decade, we’ve helped hundreds of people facing barriers to gain accredited qualifications, confidence and a pathway into employment.

We run four fully funded courses a year, each lasting 15 days. In addition, to help remove any barriers our learners may face, we also provide funded travel via an Oyster Card and a free lunch each day of the course.

On the final day of our course, we open our Graduation Job Fair, hosting employers from the Construction Industry with open vacancies, apprenticeships, or work experience opportunities.

Hear from one of our 2025 learners who impressed an employer at our Graduation Job Fair and secured an apprenticeship with FM Conway. We couldn’t be prouder of him!

“The course was amazing. The LCA supported me in so many ways—from food and travel to simply being there when I needed someone to talk to. Without the support provided through the charity, I’d probably still be in the same position I was before starting. Everyone involved was fantastic, and the LCA was always ready to help however they could. I’d genuinely recommend the LCA to anyone who wants to get into construction but doesn’t know where to start. The whole course was a huge help, especially in securing my apprenticeship. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the LCA, and I’m really happy to be joining FM Conway.” — David Tasker

Further information about our course:

Some of the key areas we cover during the course

•         Mental Health in Construction

•         Risk assessment for Health and Safety

•         Personal and Professional Development within Construction

•         Practical experience – bricklaying, drainage testing, kerbing and more

•         Environmental awareness – carbon footprint, waste management, and recycling on site

•         Manual Handling

•         CV Workshop

Qualifications gained during the course

•         CITB CSCS Health & Safety Environment (Green Card)

•         Cskills Level 1 Health & Safety

•         NOCN Certificate in Basic Construction Skills

•         NOCN First Steps into Construction

•         NOCN Environmental Awareness in the Construction Industry

•         NOCN Personal Wellbeing in Construction

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must

·       Be aged 18 or over

·       Live within a London borough

·       Not be in education, employment, or training

·       Provide valid photo ID (passport, identity card or driving licence)

·       Eligibility to work in the UK

·       Provide a CV before attending

·       Complete a 10-minute phone call before the course (this secures a space)

·       Be able to attend all course days (08:30–16:00) at the venue (Earls Court Skills Centre, Empress Place, London, SW6 1TT)

If you or someone you know is interested in joining one of our four annual courses, please email admin@thelca.org or find us on LinkedIn.