At CAST, we provide different learning opportunities and environments for young people who struggle to thrive in a mainstream setting. One of the approaches we adopt is to use land-based and construction projects as a way to engage, benefit, and deliver outcomes for the learners and local communities. This approach offers advantages for both the young people and the society alike.
Our projects benefit young people by enabling them to:
- Develop an understanding on the importance of their work – our learners gain an insight into the nature and value of work, as well as the skills and attributes required for different types of jobs. This can help them to explore their interests, strengths, and aspirations, as well as to prepare them for their future careers.
- Develop an understanding on health and safety at work – our learners are educated on the importance of following health and safety regulations and procedures when working on land-based and construction projects. This can help them to prevent accidents, injuries, and hazards, as well as to respect the rights and responsibilities of themselves and others in the workplace.
- Use and maintain tools in the correct way – our learners are taught how to use and maintain the various tools and equipment used in land-based and construction projects, as well as to appreciate the importance of quality and efficiency in work.
- Perform site surveys and assessments to a high standard – our learners are taught how to conduct site survey and assessments for land-based and construction projects. This can help them to develop their spatial awareness, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, as well as to apply their ever-growing knowledge of mathematics, science, and technology to real-world situations.
- Be proficient in financial management and budgeting – our learners will be trained in planning and managing budgets for their land-based and construction projects. This enables them to develop their financial literacy, numeracy, and decision-making skills, as well as their understanding on the concepts of cost, value, and profit.
By participating in such projects, our young people are re-integrated into the community by contributing to local initiatives that improve the environment and society. By doing so, they feel more connected to their communities and more valued by their peers. They can also develop their social confidence, communication skills, teamwork skills, and civic responsibility.
Land-based and construction projects can also provide the young people with new experiences and opportunities that enhance their personal and professional development. They are involved in, for example, meeting new people from backgrounds/cultures, visiting new places, and learning about an array of topics. This enables them to develop and achieve new goals or receive new recognitions.
Such experiences and opportunities enable our learners to broaden their horizons, increase their motivation, boost their self-esteem, and inspire them to pursue further education or employment. We pride ourselves on promoting young people to be involved in meaningful activities that help them to discover new possibilities for their future.
A comprehensive selection of the projects and charitable work we have completed are shown below.