Combined Authority select IEG to deliver pioneering Construction Internship Preparation Programme (CIPP) with Morgan Sindall

Inspire Education Group (IEG) has been selected by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to deliver a pioneering Construction Internship Preparation Programme (CIPP), designed to support young women in Peterborough into paid careers within the built environment sector.

Funded by CPCA and delivered in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction, the eight-day programme launched on Monday 30 March at IEG’s Centre for Green Technology (CGT) at Peterborough College — a flagship facility for training in sustainable construction and low-carbon technologies.

The programme will provide six female learners with an immersive, industry-informed experience, with the majority already enrolled ahead of its launch.

A curriculum designed with industry, for industry

The CIPP has been developed in close collaboration with a local leadership group and the Youth Guarantee Employer Board, ensuring it reflects the real needs of the regional construction sector.

Crucially, the curriculum has been directly shaped by employers offering paid internship opportunities, meaning participants will be developing the exact knowledge, skills and behaviours required for live roles within the industry.

With a strong focus on the future of construction, learners will explore:

• Green technologies and retrofit principles, supporting the transition to sustainable building practices
• Digital innovation, including how modern technologies are transforming construction methods
• Hands-on practical experience across key construction trades
• Employability skills, including CV writing, interview preparation and application support

The programme is carefully sequenced to build confidence and foundational knowledge before progressing into real-world application, ensuring participants are fully prepared to apply for internship opportunities.

Building confidence, capability and career pathways

Delivered by expert instructors, sessions will combine interactive and practical teaching approaches, including workshops, demonstrations, case studies and group challenges. This approach is designed not only to develop technical understanding but also to build confidence and long-term retention of key concepts.

Participants will receive continuous feedback throughout the programme, with assessment embedded through practical activities, discussions, and mock interview performance — all aligned to preparing them for progression into employment.

Driving real outcomes for learners and the local economy

The programme has a clear and ambitious goal: to support participants into meaningful next steps in education, training or employment.

By the end of the programme, learners will:

• Develop industry-relevant digital and green skills
• Produce tailored CVs and complete job applications
• Gain real interview experience
• Apply for a minimum of two paid internships with construction employers

Each participant will also have an individual progression plan, co-developed with employer partners, with continued check-ins during their internship to support long-term success.

A collaborative approach to tackling skills and diversity challenges

The Construction Internship Preparation Programme represents a strong collaboration between CPCA, IEG and industry partners, addressing both regional skills shortages and the underrepresentation of women in construction.

By aligning training directly with employer demand and delivering it within cutting-edge facilities like the CGT, the programme is helping to build a more diverse, skilled and future-ready workforce — particularly in key areas such as sustainability, retrofit and digital construction.