Their visit comes as the Skills Hub launches a new free training programme supporting veterans and ex‑military personnel into construction careers - an initiative designed to recognise the strong transferable skills of those leaving the Armed Forces and connect them with long‑term employment opportunities.
This new programme provides another opportunity for Kent and Medway residents to access training opportunities, develop new skills and enhance their employability.
KCC is a key delivery partner supporting the Lower Thames Crossing Skills Hub, working alongside government, as well as industry and training providers, to provide local skills and employment opportunities.
Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and Georgia Foster, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, visited the Skills Hub in Gravesham.
The Skills Hub plays a central role in giving young people and adults across the county access to practical, career‑focused training. This aligns with KCC’s Reforming Kent strategy, which places a strong emphasis on post‑16 pathways, skills development, and ensuring that every young person has access to meaningful routes into work.
During their tour, the Cabinet Members met staff and programme leaders to understand how the Hub is equipping people with essential workforce skills, from construction and engineering to employability and wellbeing support.
The newly launched construction course for veterans offers:
- Green CSCS Card
- Health and Safety qualification
- Basic Construction Skills certificate
- Career support and wellbeing guidance
- Industry connections, including links to veterans already working in construction
With construction of the Lower Thames Crossing now underway, the programme aims to ensure that local people, including the armed forces community, can benefit from the thousands of jobs and training opportunities the project will generate.
“It’s vital that young people and adults in Kent have access to high‑quality training that leads directly to employment.”
Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “It’s vital that young people and adults in Kent have access to high‑quality training that leads directly to employment. The Skills Hub is doing exactly that - opening doors, building confidence, and giving people the tools they need to succeed in growing industries.”
“Seeing how the Skills Hub is helping them turn those strengths into recognised qualifications is inspiring.”
Georgia Foster, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, added: “Our veterans bring exceptional resilience, teamwork and leadership to the workplace. Seeing how the Skills Hub is helping them turn those strengths into recognised qualifications is inspiring. This is exactly the kind of community‑focused support we want to champion across Kent.”
Enrolment for the veterans’ construction programme is now open, and the Skills Hub continues to welcome new learners across all its training pathways.
