Her Board-level role with the social mobility charity will see her using her construction experience to support the Trust in its aim to support young people from low-income backgrounds, underrepresented groups and those facing barriers to work by connecting them to career opportunities and employers in the construction sector.
Over the past decade-and-a-half, Julie has become one of the most recognised faces and voices in the sector, speaking up on issues such as skills, apprenticeships and the profile of the industry.
She is part of the Government’s new Construction Skills Mission Board, which is developing and delivering a construction workforce action plan to recruit a target of 100,000 new workers each year until 2029.
Julie is also the former chair of UK construction’s representative trade body, Build UK, where she supported its annual Open Doors campaign that encourages construction employers to host insightful tours of their workplaces to young people.
Julie, a former apprentice herself, said: “I’m really enthused to be given the opportunity to use my extensive industry knowledge to help Construction Youth Trust unlock even more opportunities in construction for young people.
“My own specialist sub-contracting business would not be where it is today without apprentices – as 80 per cent of my workforce used to be one – and I know how essential they are to laying the foundations for long and successful careers.
“I’ve also been ‘on the ground’ listening to employers, teachers and students during various Open Doors events - many of whom were amazed at the sheer volume of opportunity in the industry, as there are hundreds of trades which means there is something for everyone, regardless of background.
“It is through this combination of experiences – and my appointment to the Construction Skills Mission Board – that I am hoping to make a lasting difference with Construction Youth Trust as the industry strives to recruit as many young people as possible.”
Construction Youth Trust supports young people, with a priority focus on those from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds, through intensive employability coaching, inspiring world-of-work experiences and targeted engagement with industry employers, enabling them to capitalise on meaningful career opportunities and next steps such as apprenticeships.
Carol Lynch, Chief Executive of Construction Youth Trust, added: “Julie’s passion for building new construction careers has shone through over many years, and welcoming her to our Board of Trustees is fantastic for us.
“As a social mobility charity, it’s crucial that we can extend our reach into as many parts of the industry as we possibly can to maximise opportunities for both young people and employers to connect, and we’re looking forward to working with Julie on this in the future.”
