More information

There are many organisations that contribute to making construction in Kent such a lively industry. Organisations range from government-funded agencies to not-for-profit organisations, and they are all committed to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities in Kent.

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Government-funded agencies

• The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) – Regional Development Agency for the South East, responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England.
• South East England Regional Assembly – representative body responsible for preparing the South East Plan, a new strategic planning document that sets out a
  20-year vision for the region. This document will replace the recently produced Kent and Medway Structure Plan, which we produced with Medway Council.
• Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) – promotes quality design and new building developments that will be of lasting benefit to communities.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – government body responsible for helping make the industry safer for all construction employees.
• Office of Government Commerce (OGC ) – works with the Government to improve procurement (buying goods, works and services from other people and organisations) and project and programme management. The OGC also works with suppliers to make the Government marketplace more efficient and attractive to business.
• Jobcentre Plus (JCP) – offers help and advice on finding work within construction and the opportunity to advertise vacancies. Also provides a large database of skilled, semi-skilled and trainee construction workers for all trades.

Information about training

• Learning + Skills Council Kent & Medway – responsible for planning and funding all education and training for students aged 16 and over in the county (except higher education).
• CITB ConstructionSkills – provides help with all aspects of recruiting, training and qualifying the construction workforce.
• Education Business Partnerships – develops links between businesses and schools.
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) – provides information on key skills and vocational qualifications.

Construction training providers

• Canterbury College – centre at New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3AJ. For course enquiries, call 01227 811111.
• Mid Kent College – centres in Chatham, Rochester and Maidstone. For course information, call 01634 402020.
• North West Kent College – centres in Dartford and Gravesend. For course enquiries, call 0800 074 1447.
• South Kent College – centres in Ashford, Folkestone, Dover and New Romney. For course enquiries, call 01303 858220.
• Thanet College – for course enquiries, call 01843 605040.
• West Kent College – Brook Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2PW. For course enquiries, call 01732 358101.

Construction careers

• Connexions Direct – help and advice, especially for young people considering a career in construction.
• Engineering Construction Industry Training Board – training and qualification information, course details and a careers section.
• Construction sector – overview of the whole sector by AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services).
• Careers in construction – includes company profiles, a facility for posting CVs online for prospective employers to see, and lots of links

Sustainable construction

• Design for Homes – not-for-profit company that promotes the value of good design in the housing industry.
• Building for Life – the site contains many good case studies (including lots of images) showing quality design.
• Housing Corporation – information about sustainable development in the housing association sector.
• Sustainable Homes – promotes awareness of sustainable development issues for housing associations and encourages sustainable and environmental policies and practices.
• New Builder – promoting energy efficient, healthy and sustainable building.
• ReMade – identifies new markets for recycled materials, helping the construction industry to save money and the environment.
• Future Foundations – good introduction to the principles of sustainable construction including offering local employment and training opportunities.

Other construction-related organisations

• Kent Property – this site provides an excellent guide to investment and development in Kent.
• Constructing Excellence – this site aims to improve the performance of the construction industry by sharing best practice and working closely with construction businesses.
• South East Centre for the Built Environment – promotes and delivers joint learning, research and networking throughout different groups involved in the construction industry.
• Business Link Kent – supports new and existing businesses in Kent.
• Locate in Kent – agency that helps attract businesses to set up in Kent.
• ESAN project – Euroregion Skills Analysis Network (ESAN) is an innovative EU-funded research project investigating construction workforce and sector-skills issues across Kent and the Nord Pas de Calais region of France.