I know firsthand how powerful the right opportunity can be.

As a young person, I experienced homelessness and faced barriers that could easily have taken my life in a very different direction. What helped transform my future was real work experience, support and the opportunity to build a personal portfolio that showed employers what I was capable of.

That experience helped create my pathway into the plumbing and heating industry and ultimately changed my life.

MY STORY

You can learn more about my journey and my previous work supporting young people here:

BBC: My Journey

BBC Video

Nottingham Post: My Story

Newspaper Article

Now I want to pay that opportunity forward.

After winning the National Plumber Award at InstallerSHOW, I decided to donate my prize money towards creating a structured work experience programme for young adults.

Our aim is simple:

To create a bridge from unemployment or full time education into an apprenticeship or full time employment through structured, real life work experience.

WHY THIS MATTERS

According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, an estimated 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training between April and June 2026.

Behind every statistic is a young person with their own potential, ambitions and circumstances.

For many young adults, the biggest barrier is not a lack of ability or willingness to work. It is getting that first opportunity to prove themselves.

That is the gap we want this programme to help bridge.

HOW THE PROGRAMME WILL WORK

We aim to provide young adults, particularly those who may face barriers entering employment, with structured work experience opportunities through PH247 and, where possible, other organisations and sole traders who want to support the next generation.

Participants will gain experience of a real professional working environment, develop confidence, understand workplace expectations, learn from experienced professionals and build skills they can take forward into their careers.

A key part of the programme will be helping each participant develop their own personal professional portfolio.

This can include evidence of their work experience, achievements, feedback, attitude and the practical skills and behaviours they have demonstrated.

The aim is to give them something meaningful they can take to a future employer and say:

“I may not have years of experience yet, but here is what I have done, what I have learned and what I am capable of.”

I know personally how powerful that can be.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Creating opportunities for the next generation should not fall on one person or one business. I believe it is something we can do together as an industry.

We are incredibly grateful that the programme is already receiving support from across the plumbing and heating sector.

Ben Nevis Clothing has agreed to provide workwear for participants.

Arctic Hayes and DiversiTech have agreed to provide starter tool kits.

We have also received support from organisations including Powered Now and CT1.

The programme has also received personal support from respected industry figures including Richard Soper, former CEO of Worcester Bosch, and Dr Henry Hung, Managing Director of RIDGID Plumbing Limited Hong Kong, Past National President of CIPHE Hong Kong and former Vice Chair of the World Plumbing Council.

This support demonstrates a shared belief that we need to invest in the next generation and help remove the barriers that can prevent young people from getting their first opportunity.

WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES

We are aiming to raise £10,000 to help deliver the programme and remove some of the practical barriers that can prevent a young person from completing work experience.

Funds raised will help support:

• Travel costs for participants

• Lunches during placements

• Programme administration and placement coordination

• Mentoring and ongoing participant support

• Development of personal professional portfolios

• Other practical programme costs that help participants complete their work experience

With industry partners already supporting areas such as workwear and starter tools, every additional contribution can help us provide more meaningful opportunities and practical support to the young adults taking part.

PAYING IT FORWARD

My own journey taught me that one opportunity can change the direction of someone’s life.

Someone giving you a chance.

A mentor believing in your potential.

An employer looking beyond what is written on a piece of paper.

Real-world experience that lets you prove what you can do.

I was fortunate enough to receive opportunities that helped me build a career and eventually reach a position where I can create opportunities for others.

Winning the National Plumber Award was a huge personal achievement, but I wanted that achievement to represent something bigger than me.

That is why I donated my prize money and used it as the starting point for this programme.

I believe in paying it forward.

Our ambition is to create a simple but powerful pathway:

Education or unemployment → Structured work experience → Apprenticeship or employment.

If you can donate, every contribution will help us create opportunities for the next generation.

If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser could help us reach someone who can.

And if you are an employer, organisation or tradesperson who could provide a meaningful work experience opportunity, we would love you to join us in opening more doors.

Together, we can help young adults demonstrate their attitude, potential and ability and take that important first step towards a professional career.

Thank you for supporting the next generation and helping us pay it forward.

Louchavan Lemard

Co-founder, PH247