Chair of CIOB Manchester Hub Leigh Renshaw FCIOB is supporting a participant in the BuildForce initiative on his route to chartership.
BuildForce supports armed service leavers, veterans and the military spousal community to transition to trade and professional careers in construction. CIOB worked with BuildForce in 2016 to identify parallels between the armed forces and construction.
Renshaw met Sonny Bailey, site manager at Wates, on a CIOB members visit at a Wates project in Manchester. He was blown away by his drive and transferable skill set.
“Sonny and I are now working together to support his route to chartership, and we are both keen advocates in other initiatives
across our CIOB North of England super-region,” said Renshaw.
BuildForce’s career service, supported by hundreds of contractors, subcontractors and consultants, features training, mental health, sports & wellbeing, employment and aftercare.
Industry-led programme
The support centres on a unique industry-led programme via mentoring, work placements, site visits, insight days, CV reviews, interview prep and job opportunities.
Bailey first attended a BuildForce Insight Day sponsored by Wates in October 2023. BuildForce connected him to several organisations, leading to an interview with Wates.
“I found the transition from military life into construction daunting at first, but BuildForce and Wates made it a smooth process,” Bailey said. “The mentoring was a key part of it; having someone who understood both military life and construction helped me navigate this new career with confidence.”
Before joining the military, Bailey had worked as an onsite joiner. The combination of his construction skills and his experience as a logistician in the army, allowed him to transition into construction management.
“I’m also looking to the future. My aspirations include completing my NVQ Level 6 and gaining chartered status with the CIOB,” he said.
To register with BuildForce as an employer or from the armed forces community, please email [email protected].
