At Citu, we believe in the power of partnerships to drive positive change, and our recent collaboration with Lighthouse Futures Trust is a perfect example of this in action. This exciting partnership introduces young neurodivergent people to real-world opportunities within the workplace, offering them valuable internship experiences that help build their skills, confidence, and future careers.
The Lighthouse Futures Trust, a UK-based charity dedicated to providing young people with access to career development, mentoring, and support. By working together, we are not only giving young people the chance to explore new industries but also contributing to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we are a part of.
Our partnership focuses on creating internship opportunities within Citu that allow young people to gain hands-on experience in a range of sectors, from construction and design to sustainability and project management. Interns are supported by both Citu’s team and a Lighthouse Futures Trust Job Coach, ensuring they receive the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed. This immersive experience helps them develop key skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, which are essential for their professional growth.
For Citu, this collaboration goes beyond filling internship positions – it is a commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators. By partnering with Lighthouse Futures Trust, we are actively working towards building a more inclusive workforce, in line with our long-term mission to drive sustainability and positive social change through innovation in construction and urban development.
Working with the Trust also reflects our ongoing efforts to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our operations. By providing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds, we aim to create a more representative workplace where all voices are heard and valued. This not only enriches our own work culture but also strengthens our ability to approach challenges with a wide range of perspectives.
Through this partnership, we hope to inspire other businesses to consider how they can make a positive impact by supporting the next generation of talent. The work with Lighthouse Futures Trust is just one of the many steps Citu is taking to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
We caught up with intern Mohammad, as he gave us a guided health and safety tour of the Climate Innovation District to understand how he’s finding the experience.
Q: What have you learnt so far?
A: The things I have learnt are all about health and safety, how to wear the correct PPE and how to use the fire extinguishers. I’ve learnt lots and it is all useful for the future.
Q: What tasks are you looking forward to doing on site?
A: When I work on the site I am looking forward to checking all the tools and the stock. When Scott tells me what tools to check, I’ll check them and see how many they are and if we have enough of them already.
Q: Tell me how it’s been becoming part of the team here?
A: I have had a really good experience being part of the team because everyone in the other departments is really kind and friendly and also every time I walk or go past, whenever they go past me they say hi and hello.
Q: Have you met lots of different people at Citu?
A: Yeah, I’ve met all the staff in the other departments and I’ve also met the sales team and they are really kind and friendly.
Q: What are your favourite things about the Climate Innovation District?
A: My favourite thing is when I walk over the bridge, I can just see the beautiful clear water in the river. It’s peaceful and it’s quiet, not noisy at all. Sometimes I see ducks going past and boats.
