The Foundations to Construction programme was established in 2002 as a dual response to meet the needs of young people who require a training route into the construction industry., and to meet the needs of employers in the construction industry who encounter difficulties when recruiting employees.

The construction industry is faced with a huge skills shortage countrywide. Schools in Liverpool encouraged the Education Action Zone (EAZ) to set up a project aimed at young people who had potential but found the traditional curriculum inappropriate, or were at risk of exclusion from school.

The programme was funded through the European Social Fund, the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, match-funding from the EAZ and its partner schools and private 'in kind' support from the local housing association. The local housing association was in the process of upgrading the housing stock on two estates where the majority of school pupils lived. Subsequently a purpose-built construction training centre was created in the heart of the area. The programme was funded initially for two years from 2002 to 2004, however due to its success and innovative approach to vocational training, it is now supported directly by schools.

Participating students train at the centre two days a week, working towards an accredited CITB-ConstructionSkills/City & Guilds award, and return to school for the remaining three days.