Training Provider:
HBXL Skills Academy

Skills Bootcamp:
CAD for Construction Skills Bootcamp

Learner:

Katie Challis

“The Skills Bootcamp enabled me to offer services I simply couldn’t before. As well as gaining new practical skills I’ve been introduced to a new network of contacts which have already led to new earning opportunities.” – Katie

How did the learner find out about the Skills Bootcamp?

Katie discovered the Skills Bootcamp while researching ways to expand her interior design business into the UK construction market. As someone with a young family she was keen for training that was both online, and not going to take up whole days. HBXL Skills Academy’s offered both of these requirements. Better still, Katie also recognised that the training company has a direct industry focus and a clear pathway into building company subcontract opportunities.

Background: Experience, skills & ambitions

Katie is an experienced interior designer who had been delivering visually striking and practical room designs for small developers and renovators in the United States since 2017. She returned to the UK with an ambition to evolve her service offering - moving beyond interiors to:

• Provide full 2D and 3D construction drawings
• Support planning permission applications
• Collaborate more closely with architects and builders
• Take on larger renovation and extension projects
• Grow credibility and win new UK clients

Her commercial skills, creativity and strong understanding of homeowner needs gave her a solid foundation - she just needed the technical CAD expertise to unlock new opportunities.

What new skills did she learn on the Skills Bootcamp?

Through practical, construction-focused CAD training Katie learned how to:

• Produce accurate technical building drawings used for planning and construction
• Interpret architectural plans and convert client briefs into measured layouts
• Create 3D visualisations to communicate concepts clearly to trades and clients
• Understand planning requirements and support submissions
• Work more efficiently using workflow best practice and shortcuts
• Apply CAD principles to real-world building projects (extensions, renovations etc.)

The Bootcamp helped her evolve from interiors-only design to a more advanced role contributing directly to construction planning.

Progression: What happened next?

The Skills Bootcamp has directly accelerated Katie’s business development:

• Launched her UK business – Project Partner https://www.projectpartner.uk/
• Secured her first project with building company Precision Carpentry – HBXL introduced Katie to Ryan, a previous Skills Bootcamp attendee himself
• Created a growing pipeline of future subcontracting opportunities
• Expanded her contacts – HBXL was able to provide introductions through their own network
• Increased confidence in quoting for new types of work.

With her enhanced skillset, she is now positioned to secure contracts and widen her client base across the construction sector.

Katie can now deliver greater value to construction companies - improving communication, design accuracy and efficiency on site.

Next steps

Katie intends to:

• Attend the HBXL Project & Job Management Skills Bootcamp to expand her construction-focussed knowledge still further
• Strengthen relationships with local builders and expand her contractor network
• Continue growing her portfolio of planning-ready CAD drawings
• Take on increasingly complex property development projects.

Her journey shows how Skills Bootcamps empower talent to contribute more fully to the construction sector.

Conclusion

Katie’s story demonstrates the success of the HBXL CAD Skills Bootcamp in:

·       Enhancing technical capability

·       Enabling progression into higher-value work

·       Supporting SME builders with digital design and planning skills

·       Helping a skilled professional reintegrate into the UK economy.

Interested in finding out more on the Construction Skills Bootcamps offered by the HBXL Skills Academy. Check out the courses and next start dates here.