London School of Science & Technology (LSST) Launches Major New Construction Training Centre to Strengthen London’s Skills Pipeline in Wembley — Driving Jobs, Growth and Industry Impact

The London School of Science & Technology (LSST) opened its dedicated Construction Training Centre at its Wembley Campus — a timely intervention that directly responds to one of the UK’s most pressing workforce challenges: the chronic shortage of skilled construction workers needed to deliver homes, infrastructure and sustainable growth.

The new facility — part of LSST’s expanding vocational and employer-linked provision — delivers hands-on, employer-aligned construction training aimed at boosting the capital’s skills pipeline. It opens as industry bodies report talent gaps that threaten project delivery across London and the UK, with tens of thousands of construction jobs unfilled and national training expansions underway. 

Training with Purpose — Skills Meet Demand

LSST’s Construction Training Centre provides an accessible route into industry for adults across London, integrating practical trade skills, employability support and industry insight with a strong focus on job outcomes. The centre forms part of LSST’s broader portfolio of Skills Bootcamps — short, funded courses designed with employers and rooted in London’s Skills Bootcamps programme. 

Mr Ali Jafar Zaidi, CEO of LSST, said: “With so many skills shortages, it is time for the construction industry to be repaired and built back itself. I couldn’t be prouder to see our centre open because we know that skills change lives. By aligning high-quality training with real labour market needs, LSST is creating clear routes into sustainable employment while supporting London’s long-term growth.”

LSST’s approach connects learners directly with employer demand — a strategy that has already earned recognition across its Skills Bootcamps programmes and helped learners transition to work:

The centre’s timing is significant: London continues to plan thousands of new homes and regeneration projects that require skilled tradespeople, while other training hubs across the region have already demonstrated impact.  

 

Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusive Growth

LSST’s model emphasises widening participation — especially important in a sector where under-representation persists. By focusing on accessible entry points, supportive instruction and employer connections, the centre helps address barriers that prevent many from entering trades.

This reflects London’s broader Inclusive Talent Strategy — part of the Mayor’s Growth Plan — which seeks to put employers at the heart of creating diverse pipelines of talent and to expand access to good jobs across the capital. 

Quotes from External Stakeholders

The Mayor of the London Borough of Brent, Councillor Ryan Hack, said: It is a great privilege to open LSST’s Construction Training Centre - a facility that will not only deliver essential, work-aligned skills to learners, but will also strengthen our capacity to grow, innovate and compete in one of the UK’s most vital economic sectors.

This Centre is more than bricks and mortar. It is a commitment to community, to opportunity, and to unlocking the talents and potential that already exist across this borough. By equipping learners with high-quality, employment-focused training, LSST is helping to fill critical skills gaps while empowering individuals with the confidence and competence to build careers that drive growth across the UK.

Barry Gardiner MP for Brent West said: The opening of LSST's Construction Training Centre is a welcome and necessary boost to our national drive to tackle skills shortages and strengthen employment in one of the most vital sectors of our economy. By equipping learners with high-quality, work-aligned training, LSST is not only filling crucial gaps in the construction workforce but also empowering individuals with careers that will drive growth across the UK. I commend LSST’s commitment to expanding opportunity and building confidence in tomorrow’s workforce.

Krupesh Hirani AM, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, said: LSST’s ambition and impact are truly inspiring. Their commitment to transforming lives was recently recognised at City Hall, where they won the ‘Distinguished Provider of Adult Education’ award at the Mayor of London’s Adult Learning Awards. By tackling the skills gap head-on and providing clear pathways into work, LSST is proving itself as a driving force for opportunity and growth across Brent and beyond.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Labour Leader of Brent Council, said: I am proud to see this new Construction Training Centre open in Wembley, at the heart of one of the fastest growing parts of our borough. Brent is a place that builds not just homes, but futures, and this centre captures that ambition perfectly.

Cllr Mili Patel, Deputy Leader of Brent Council, said: I am proud to see the opening of LSST’s Construction Training Centre in Wembley, which represents a vital step in tackling skills shortages while creating real opportunities for local people. By delivering high-quality, work-aligned training and clear pathways into employment, LSST is strengthening the construction workforce and transforming lives. This centre connects residents directly to the regeneration taking place on their doorstep, helping them build lasting careers, support their families and contribute to the future growth of Brent and beyond.

 

Across Wembley, Neasden, Staples Corner and Alperton, we are delivering transformational regeneration with thousands of new homes coming forward. But the true measure of success is what that means for people. A good job, a real skill, a chance to provide for your family and build something lasting for the next generation.

 

This centre gives residents that opportunity. It links local people directly to the work being created on their doorstep and to the enduring legacy of house building in Brent. We are proud to be a borough that builds houses and opportunities, side by side.”