Vacancy overview

Vacancy City Shaper Programme
Employer LIFT (Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology)
Vacancy type Courses
Reference number Cit10365
Form of employment Part Time
Salary / Rate Not specified
Hours 15.00
Published 30/03/2026
Closing date 10/05/2026

Description

To apply for this role please read full instructions below – you must fill in your personal details, upload your CV and answer 2 application questions within a supporting statement. You must be a resident of a LIFT borough (Camden, Hackney or Islington) to apply for this role – proof of address will be required before interview stage.

Built Environment incubator & paid industry placements 

City Shaper is a new programme from LIFT and the School of Building helping map out a pathway for underrepresented communities into entry careers in the built environment. Participants will access an 8-week learning programme followed by 10 week paid full time internships in varied sections of the built environment including; architects, developers, contractors, planners and engineers. 

The programme has been developed to provide an immersive well rounded learning programme combining overviews, industry skills, masterclasses and workshops with industry leaders where you will work on real briefs, learn core skills and make site visits. After completing the training programme participants will be interviewed for built environment internships within local businesses.   

Duties

What will you gain from the City Shaper Programme?  
  • 8-week, part time course from the School of Building delivered by leading and innovative industry professionals, where you will learn the skills, behaviours and processes required across the different sections of the built environment
  • The opportunity to work on team projects and develop your skills and network.
  • Develop your employability skills to take your job search to the next stage.
  • Following successful completion of the course, gain interviews for paid industry placements within local design agencies.
  • If successful in gaining an industry internship you will begin a full time 10-week internship where you will work full-time (35 hrs) at London Living Wage 
The course will cover key topics shaping the sector today, including: 
  • Place Literate: How to read the built environment
  • Spatial Thinker: How to shape the built environment
  • Collaborative Intelligence: How to work with others and tools
  • Problem-Solver: How to take initiative
  • Co-designer:  How to empower stakeholders
  • Project Planner: How to prepare processes and systems
  • Strategic Operator: How to deliver with maximum impact
  • Next Steps: How to take things forward 

Essential criteria

Programme Entry requirements:  
  • A resident of a LIFT borough (Camden, Hackney and Islington) aged 18+
  • GCSE or Equivalent Maths and English 
  • Able to demonstrate a passion and interest in areas of built environment. 
  • Have experience of using digital office software such as Microsoft Office, Google docs or similar.   
  • Able to work as part of a team   
  • Be able to attend all sessions on the dates specified. 
  • (This course will be delivered using Apple Macs or PCs)  - let us know if you don't have access to a laptop
  • LIFT aims to support people from underrepresented backgrounds, including people from black and Asian minority ethnic backgrounds, women, lone parents, disabled people and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. 

    Additional information

    Key Dates:

    10 May 23:59 | Applications close


    10 – 12 May | Interviews  (*please make sure you have availability for an in person interview in Islington West Library)

    25th May – 28th July | Course dates
    Weekly Schedule: Tuesdays: 10.00 – 13.00, Thursdays: 10.00 – 13.00, Fridays: 10.00 – 13.00, 14.00 – 17.00. 

    This is a part-time course with in person sessions of approximately 9 hrs a week plus additional time for self study and online mentoring. 

    6 July | Internship interviews

    September - November | Internships

    If you are successful in gaining an internship placement at the end of the course, the internships will be full time paid at London Living Wage

    How to apply

    To apply for this role, you need to follow the steps below.

    Step 1: Download and review the information session slides in the documents section of this page below. Utilise this information in you covering statements and CVs

    Step 2: To apply, click the ‘Apply’ button. You will need to register for an account or log in.

    Step 3: Upload a copy of your CV

    Step 4: Please submit a personal statement (maximum 300 words) covering the questions below. Enter your text into the ‘Supporting Statement’ box, or upload as an additonal document.


    1. Why do you want to apply for the programme
    1. What relevant skills do you have for the programme

    Step 5: Confirm you meet the elgibility criteria

    Submit your application!



    For more information or help with your application

    If you are having any difficulties, would like to submit your application in an alternative format or would like support with your application, please contact lift.futures@islington.gov.uk to be connected to the LIFT Employment Outreach Officer in your borough.
    If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the application or interview process, please reach out to the team to discuss more.

    This vacancy is closed and is no longer taking applications