THEY are laying the building blocks for promising youngsters to craft their future careers.

Award-winning property developer Crest Nicholson has launched a mentoring scheme at Redbridge Community School in partnership with the Southampton school’s construction department.

The company is inviting Year 11 students to boost their skills and learning by organising site visits at its Centenary Quay development in Woolston - where it already employs six apprentices.

The scheme is open to pupils on the school’s City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills and CBacc award programme which feature carpentry, plumbing, plastering, bricklaying, tiling and levelling.

The practical skills are supported with English and Maths lessons to boost communication, measuring and cost analysis skills expected in their working roles.

Centenary Quay mentoring manager Cindy Coe said: “Young people are the future ambassadors of the construction industry and it’s really important we work closely with them.”