A construction company has an eye on recruiting college students with special educational needs and disabilities to help fill a gap in the industry.  

Workshops have been held at Barking and Dagenham College by Natalie Sidey from Willmott Dixon Construction as part of the company’s Oxlow Bridge School building project at Becontree Heath. 

“Our industry hasn’t historically embraced these individuals,” she said afterwards. “But the smallest contribution can make a monumental difference.

“All they really want is for someone to take the time to understand them and show a bit of patience.”  

Health and safety regulations often make it difficult to employ those without formal qualifications, Natalie stressed.

But the workshops were part of a wider programme to help to fill the skills gap in construction. 

The company has published a guide for local authorities in developing a new generation of schools for special needs, such as Oxlow Bridge which is being built for 100 pupils who have profound learning difficulties.