A new Construction and Scaffolding Academy has been launched in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area in a targeted effort to address critical skill shortages within the local construction industry.

The initiative is a partnership between the Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP), the Council, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Advanced Scaffolding, and several local employers.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, hailed the academy as an opportunity to support a vital sector: "This innovative training academy offers a real opportunity for local people to gain the skills and confidence needed to enter the construction industry. With strong employer involvement and tailored support, we're aiming to support a critical local industry to develop more people with the right skills."

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Programme Details

The intensive two-week academy will run from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 28 November 2025. It is designed to offer participants a unique pathway into the sector by providing:

• Industry-recognised qualifications.

• Hands-on experience.

• Direct access to employers in the construction and scaffolding sectors.

The programme combines practical skills development, essential safety training, and specific employability support to prepare participants for sustainable careers.

The academy is open to residents of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area who are currently unemployed or underemployed (working 16 hours or less per week) and who can commit fully to the two-week schedule.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Communities, through the Labour Market Partnerships, which aims to create targeted employment action plans at a local level. Safety equipment for the academy has been sponsored by Leach's.