Trainees from Craft Training have visited Braidwater Group's The Cashel to gain first-hand insight into the building process at Northern Ireland's largest housing development.

The group, who are mainly studying joinery, building, plastering and painting, toured the live site to observe how different trades collaborate. The educational visit walked them through each phase of delivery, from initial groundworks and structural construction to internal trades, finishing works and final completion.

Organised in partnership with Craft Training, a Northern Ireland-based provider focused on practical skills and recognised qualifications, the visit formed part of efforts to help learners progress into employment or further training. Through programmes including Skills for Life and Work and ApprenticeshipsNI, Craft Training works closely with employers to give trainees the knowledge, experience and confidence required for careers across multiple industries, including construction.

During the tour, trainees heard about day-to-day site operations, health and safety, construction sequencing, quality standards and the importance of effective coordination between trades. The experience reinforced how individual skillsets feed into the wider process of delivering new homes.

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Darren Farnan of Braidwater Group said: "We were delighted to welcome the trainees from Craft Training to The Cashel development. There is no substitute for getting young people onto a live construction site and allowing them to see first-hand how the building process works.

"At Braidwater Group, we recognise the importance of investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The construction industry relies on talented, motivated individuals, and initiatives like this help bridge the gap between training and employment. By giving trainees real exposure to the industry, we hope to inspire them, build their confidence and help them understand the opportunities available as they develop their careers."

Lee Foley of Craft Training added: "Visits like this are hugely beneficial for our trainees because they bring everything they are learning into a real-world setting. It's one thing to develop skills in a training environment, but seeing those skills being applied on a live construction site gives trainees a much better appreciation of the standards, teamwork and planning involved.

"At Craft Training, our focus is on preparing people for the realities of working in industry and giving them the best possible foundations for their future careers. Opportunities like this, made possible through the support of employers such as Braidwater Group, are invaluable in helping trainees connect their learning with the workplace and see the potential career paths ahead of them."

The visit reflects a shared commitment by Braidwater Group and Craft Training to strengthen links between providers and employers, support skills development and encourage the next generation of construction professionals.

By opening live sites to trainees and enabling direct engagement with the build process, Braidwater Group continues to promote careers in the sector and help develop the skilled workforce needed to support the future of housebuilding across Northern Ireland.