Häfele UK has been announced as the national partner for the ‘Band of Builders Bursary’, a financial support package from Band of Builders designed for the next generation of tradespeople.
Officially launched at the Band of Builders Annual Ball, the initiative will target construction students experiencing financial hardship via the provision of tools, uniforms, PPE, books, course resources, and more.
The new scheme will be offered to colleges in Band of Builders’ national network, alongside its existing wellbeing and mental health support services.
As the national partner, Häfele will engage students at the earliest opportunity in their studies, supporting them throughout their training with practical workshops, masterclasses and incentives, as well as ‘student starter packs’.
Three Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) – Leeds College of Building, Bedford College, and South Staffordshire College – have been selected to launch the scheme to existing students.
CTECs were first launched in August 2025 and are delivered in partnership with local providers as part of a government programme to train 40,000 new builders by 2029, supporting the delivery of 1.5million new homes and infrastructure projects.
It’s expected that students from more than 250 colleges across the country will benefit from the bursary.
Richard Curtis, Managing Director at Häfele UK, said: “We have decades of heritage in the construction industry, working closely with tradespeople and businesses. Understanding the realities of working in the sector, the skills that are most valued and the challenges people face as they develop their profession, puts us in a strong position to share practical knowledge and support with students just starting out.
“We’re passionate about helping to secure the future of the industry and believe talent and ambition shouldn’t be limited by financial circumstances. This bursary will remove some of the barriers facing students who might otherwise struggle to complete their training. Alongside financial support, we’ll share our resources and real-world insight to give the next generation of skilled tradespeople the strongest possible start to their careers.”
Band of Builders is a UK registered charity that supports tradespeople, construction workers and their families with practical help, emotional support and financial assistance when illness, injury or life-changing circumstances make everyday living unsafe or unmanageable.
Speaking of Häfele UK’s support, Band of Builders’ CEO Gavin Crane said: “We’re delighted to welcome Häfele as a strategic partner for the Band of Bursary, helping us create more opportunities for the next generation to build a future in the industry.
“Häfele shares our commitment to investing in the future of construction, and brings decades of experience and expertise to the partnership. Together, we can extend the reach and impact of the bursary, helping more young people overcome financial barriers and take their first steps towards a rewarding career in the industry.”
More information on the Band of Builders can be found here.
