21/08/2026
Building Futures on the East Coast: How Yorkshire Construction Academy is Transforming Young Lives in Hornsea
In a quiet corner of Hornsea, something remarkable is happening. Yorkshire Construction Academy (YCA) has quietly become one of the most effective routes into skilled employment for local young people – and the results from its latest cohort speak for themselves.
The group who started in April and finished on 31 July have just completed an intensive 16-week programme that delivers far more than traditional college routes. Every single student left with a CSCS card, a Health & Safety qualification, and solid practical skills in bricklaying, joinery, roofing, paving, flagging, drainage and a full range of groundworks. All passed their employability training, many gained English and Maths qualifications, and every student walked out with a strong CV and real interview experience under their belt.
The employment outcomes are already looking very strong. Premier Modular has currently interviewed every student from the cohort, with six apprenticeships looking likely. The good news is expected in the coming week. In addition, one of our students has already secured an apprenticeship on a Keepmoat site. Overall, we expect 70% of the cohort to be in employment by the end of August. These are real jobs with reputable local and regional employers – not classroom theory followed by uncertainty.
What sets YCA apart is its simple promise: we take young people all the way to employment. We leave nobody behind. Students do not need previous experience or strong GCSE results. In just 16 weeks they become trained, CSCS-qualified and placed directly in front of employers who are actively looking for motivated young people.
Opening the Hornsea centre has proved an excellent decision. We are already seeing a genuine positive impact on the local community, giving school leavers a clear, fast and practical pathway into the construction industry. Looking ahead, we are determined to reach further into the wider East Riding and Hull areas to fill our September intake. Spaces are limited and demand is high.
We have also expanded our offer by launching an Alternative Provision programme for 14–16-year-olds, covering both construction and beauty. Local high schools interested in this provision are warmly invited to get in touch.
A special thanks goes to our partner YMCA and our valued sponsors Woods of Hornsea, Premier Modular and East Coast Construction for all their continued support. Their commitment makes these life-changing opportunities possible for local young people.
Yorkshire Construction Academy is not a college in the traditional sense. It is a direct bridge from school to skilled employment. For the young people of Hornsea and the surrounding area, that bridge is already delivering results – and we are only just getting started.
For more information about the September cohort or the Alternative Provision programme, contact Rebekah on 07882 201908 or visit the Yorkshire Construction Academy page.
