Our Academy is an extended training opportunity for people who want to build skills + confidence before starting work. 

Every graduate of the Academy is guaranteed an interview to join the crew.

Register here for your half-day Test + Build, where you can try us out for size and see if this is the opportunity for you.

Test + Builds are short, no obligation, hands-on information sessions for candidates and their key workers; following the Test + Build, candidates continue on to our Academy training programme. 

You must attend the Test + Build in order to take part in the Academy training programme.

September Academy Dates

Deadline for registrations - Wednesday 24th September

We strongly recommend that candidates and key workers complete this application together. 

Test + Build - 26th September 2025

Academy Day 1 - 29th September 2025

Academy Day 2 - 30th September 2025

Academy Day 3 - 2nd October 2025

Induction - October 2025

To participate in the Test + Build and go on to the Academy, candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Be motivated to take on practical, physically demanding work
• Be referred by a referral partner or former Academy graduate
• Have the support of a key worker at a referring organisation for the duration of the Academy
• Have access to:
  • a smart phone (to use our scheduling app)
  • washing machine facilities
  • a safe place to sleep
  • a safe place to store belongings (such as kit, e.g. tools)
  • somewhere to prepare meals

Our Academy is for those who've been affected by homelessness.

This is not limited to, but includes, people who are:

Currently homeless and 'ready for work' (including but not limited to those who are):

• Living in temporary or insecure accommodation (please see: 'must have access to' above)

At high/direct risk of homelessness (including but not limited to those who):

• Are long term unemployed (over 12 months)
• Have left institutions (including care, prison, and military) within the last 5 years
• Have been homeless within the last 5 years
  

You can find more information about our Academy programme and Impact here: Connection Crew Impact Report 2024.

Please note: our general recruitment is now closed. If you are work-ready and looking to go straight into work as event crew, please get in touch with our Recruitment and Training Officer, Ken Kohama, who will be in contact when this is reopened. 

Participants of the Test + Build will:

• Learn about the Academy, work as Event Crew, and our in-work support
• Build a stage, climb a ladder, and get hands on
• Be assessed on their suitability for The Academy

Those invited back for the Academy will gain:

• Practical, manual handling skills
• Soft skills including communication and teamwork, self confidence, and workplace etiquette

Academy graduates who go on to work with us can expect:

• A practical assessment and graduation, which comes with a guaranteed interview to join our event crew
• Same day Induction and Orientation, to set them up for the Event Crew role
• Support towards uniform and kit, so that candidates can get out to work with our crew as soon as they'd like
• Living-wage work with our crew, on a PAYE basis
• The opportunity to arrange a personalised schedule according to individual needs (e.g. benefit entitlements) and skills
• The option to be matched with a peer mentor who will provide on-the-job support and guidance for the first 6-12 weeks of employment

More information on the Event Crew role can be found on our careers site.

Please remember: we strongly recommend that candidates complete this application together with their key worker.