Building Futures Through Pathways4Life: 20 Years of Lasting Impact

By Leigh Garbutt, National Social Value Manager

This year marks an incredible milestone for Fortem: 20 years of our Pathways4Life initiative. Since 2005, we have been supporting people into employment through four routes; school engagement, work experience, apprenticeships and management trainee opportunities, and employment.

At its heart, Pathways4Life is simple but impactful: to improve lives by helping people develop skills and access long lasting careers. Over two decades, it has grown into one of the most important ways we create social value for our clients, our residents, and the communities we serve.

But as we reflect on 20 years of progress, it’s also clear that Pathways4Life has never been more relevant to some of the challenges facing the social housing sector today.

1. Addressing the skills crisis in housing and construction

The skills shortage in the construction and property sector is critical. A 2024 report by Checkatrade highlighted that the UK needs to recruit 1.3 million new skilled tradespeople and 350,000 new apprentices by 2033 if we are to meet the Government’s housing and net zero targets.

The pandemic intensified this challenge, with many workers under 50 leaving the industry just as construction output began to rebound. Combined with an aging workforce, 35% of workers are over 50 and many are expected to retire within the next decade, this leaves the sector facing a serious shortfall. By May 2024, construction vacancies were higher than at any time in the previous 20 years.

Through Pathways4Life, Fortem is playing a direct role in meeting this challenge. We have supported hundreds of apprentices and trainees nationally, with many of them progressing into long term careers and leadership roles. By recruiting locally, we not only fill vital skills gaps but also create opportunities for residents to thrive in sustainable employment.

2. Supporting the transition to net zero

The Trade Skills Index found that nearly a third of construction jobs (29%) will require new skills to support the transition to net zero. Demand for trades such as plumbers, heating engineers, glaziers, and renewable technology installers will rise sharply as policies to phase out gas boilers and retrofit fuel-poor homes take effect.

That means apprenticeships aren’t just about today’s workforce, they are about preparing for tomorrow's. Pathways4Life is helping to equip young people and career changers with the skills that will keep homes warmer and more energy efficient.

3. Building community resilience and social value

We know that social housing requires more than functioning homes, it needs thriving communities. Employment and training opportunities have a direct link to wellbeing and financial stability.

Through school engagement, mentoring, and work experience placements, Pathways4Life is inspiring the next generation to see construction, particularly repairs and maintenance, as a career of choice. Encouragingly, under-19s now make up the largest share of construction apprentices, a trend we are proud to support through our partnerships with schools and housing providers.

Apprenticeships also create visible role models within communities. Former apprentices who are now supervisors, site managers, and operations leaders prove to young people that rewarding, achievable careers exist close to home.

4. A partnership approach that delivers

We don’t deliver Pathways4Life in isolation. We work together with housing providers, schools, and community organisations to create opportunities where they are needed most.

Our long-standing partnership with Orbit is a clear example. Over 70 apprentices from the local communities have been employed locally through the Orbit contract since 2014, many of whom have gone on to senior roles in our business. This shows the power of aligning property solutions with social impact, a partnership approach that benefits landlords, residents, and communities alike.

Looking ahead

As we celebrate 20 years of Pathways4Life, our commitment is to keep building on this legacy. We will remain reactive to the ever-changing landscape of the social housing sector but hold firm in our commitment to delivering high quality property solutions, investing in people, communities, and our future workforce.

Because at Fortem, we believe Every Home Matters, and every career journey counts.