- Costain becomes the first tier one infrastructure company to partner with RFA to help create opportunities for care leavers and people with past convictions.
Costain, the UK infrastructure specialist, has announced a partnership with Rebuilding Futures Alliance (RFA) to provide meaningful employment opportunities for carer leavers aged 16-25 years old and people with past convictions. RFA is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together a national network of expert charities and employers to help place former offenders and care leavers into full-time, meaningful careers. The new partnership with Costain, a first with a tier one contractor, will bridge the gap between untapped talent and sustainable career pathways across a range of infrastructure sectors across the UK including road, rail, aviation, water and energy.
The partnership will see Costain commit to onboarding a minimum of five candidates per year to full-time employment, and Costain’s extensive supply chain will also be able to access the RFA’s expertise and support to significantly scale up the number of employment opportunities available. Costain is responsible for an average daily workforce of 14,500 across more than 150 project sites and has long-term visibility of future projects with a record forward work position of £7bn.
Being a trusted employer and community partner is a key focus of Costain’s 2030 Sustainability Programme, which includes a goal of supporting the skills development of 500 people to gain meaningful employment. In 2025, Costain supported 1,200 people with their employability skills and spent more than 1,900 hours volunteering for school engagement initiatives.
“We’re committed to unlocking people’s full potential to create a more prosperous UK, and we believe that everyone should have the chance to build a meaningful and rewarding career in infrastructure.
Catherine Duffy Chief People and Sustainability Officer, Costain
“Our exciting new partnership with the Rebuilding Futures Alliance means that not only will we be able to address the skills challenge facing our industry, but we’ll be able to do so in a way that provides employment opportunities to talented people who deserve a second chance.”
“Reoffending costs the government £22.7 billion each year, and without a sense of purpose, around one in two individuals will go on to reoffend. Employment remains the single most powerful factor in breaking this cycle.
Gabriella Ellison Chief Executive Officer, Rebuilding Futures Alliance
“At RFA, we are focused on connecting individuals facing barriers to meaningful, sustainable employment that enables them to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities. Welcoming Costain as our first Tier 1 infrastructure and engineering partner marks a significant step forward in this mission. It strengthens our ability to create real pathways into an industry that offers long-term, skilled careers and genuine opportunities for progression.
“Through partnerships like this, RFA is not only supporting individuals into work but driving systemic change, helping employers access untapped talent while reducing reoffending and delivering wider social and economic impact.”
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Tom Mitchener
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