Learning in Lockdown

Opening pathways into construction when classrooms and onsite work experience opportunities closed
2020
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When Covid-19 restrictions brought face-to-face teaching, site visits and in-person work experience to a halt, thousands of young people risked missing out on vital exposure to future careers. In response, Learning in Lockdown was created as the UK’s first fully accredited virtual work experience programme for the construction industry.

Delivered in May 2020, the week-long initiative reached more than 2,000 Year 10 and S4 pupils from 300 secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales. Designed as a collaborative digital experience, the programme centred on a real-world design challenge that engaged students across the full breadth of STEM subjects, while showcasing the scale, diversity and social impact of careers in construction.

Learning in Lockdown was developed and delivered as a not-for-profit initiative, supported by a network of industry partners, social enterprises and education specialists. Class of Your Own, Learn Live and Engineering Development Trust (EDT) provided delivery and accreditation through the Industrial Cadets scheme, with additional backing from SCAPE framework delivery partners, supply chain contractors and mentors across the sector.

Mobilised in just a matter of weeks, the programme achieved national reach during an unprecedented period of disruption, generating significant interest from schools and industry alike. It delivered measurable social value, maintained high-quality learning outcomes and ensured students remained inspired and connected to future opportunities, proving that innovation and collaboration can remove barriers to access, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Read more about some of the most notable outcomes of the week here.

“I signed up after being approached by my school and thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new whilst I wasn’t able to physically be in school! It gave me the chance to interact with other students at different schools and do something I hadn’t done before!”

Poppy, Year 10 pupil at Hadley Learning Community Secondary School

Initiative results:

2,000 pupils Gained accredited work experience
300 Secondary schools involved
£200,000 Social value generated
159 Expert volunteers
32 Organisations across industry
“Learning in Lockdown has been the best thing I’ve done in my 25 years of teaching”. 

Teacher