As an area, Levenmouth has the lowest level of attainment with children between the ages of 13 – 17. Here at the Community Trade Hub, we understand that, due to complex barriers many young people struggle to thrive and reach their potential within a mainstream education system. Our aim as a business is to overcome these barriers and fill the attainment, through our unique and alternative route of education.
We believe it is essential to ensure young people are supported early on and have access to opportunities that suit their needs and aspirations. Employability support services in the area primarily focus on supporting young people aged 16+. This misses a huge pool of young people who have fully disengaged with education/left school early on. To ensure young people have the option to engage in alternative education pathways we became integrated into the Curriculum of Excellence at Levenmouth Academy in 2020. A key motto at the Community Trade Hub is to ensure that young people are not just employment ready but are life ready. Mainstream services fail to listen to young people’s individual needs and desired paths, support young people in developing life skills. We have a key worker that works with the young people to identify their strengths to help define what path best suits their abilities.
Every young person who walks through our doors is given the opportunity to grow, gain new skills and build confidence in a supportive, hands-on environment. Through our construction, mechanics and hospitality training, holiday camps, mobile classroom and community projects, we help individuals discover their strengths and take positive steps forward.
The percentage shown here represents the young people who successfully complete their programme with us and move on with new qualifications, improved confidence and a clearer direction for the future.
At Community Trade Hub, we don’t just deliver training — we create real change for individuals and for our community.
Community Trade Hub
Levenmouth Reconnected
In addition to our purpose-built Community Kitchen in Leven, our fully operational Construction site in Buckhaven provides a hands-on learning environment where young people can develop practical trade skills in a real-world setting. This dedicated space allows participants to work with professional tools and materials while gaining valuable experience across a range of construction disciplines. The site has been designed to create a safe, structured and supportive environment where pupils can build confidence alongside competence. From basic joinery and woodworking to more advanced construction projects, learners are encouraged to take pride in their work, develop teamwork skills and understand the importance of health and safety within the trade. Alongside practical training, our Buckhaven location also provides classroom space for planning, theory work and reflection, ensuring that each young person gains both the technical knowledge and hands-on ability needed to progress. Through this balanced approach, we help individuals build not just structures — but skills, confidence and a stronger future.
Alongside our Construction and Hospitality training, our Mechanics programme offers a dynamic, hands-on learning experience for young people with an interest in vehicles and engineering. Delivered within a fully equipped workshop environment, this programme allows participants to work directly with engines, tools and mechanical components while developing practical skills that reflect real industry practice. Learners gain experience in areas such as stripping and rebuilding engines, understanding vehicle systems, carrying out basic maintenance tasks and working safely with specialist equipment. Every session is designed to build both technical knowledge and problem-solving ability, encouraging young people to think logically, work methodically and take pride in completing tasks to a high standard. Our Mechanics training environment also promotes teamwork, resilience and attention to detail — key qualities within the automotive and engineering sectors. By combining structured learning with practical application, we provide young people with the confidence, skills and foundation required to progress into further training, apprenticeships or employment within the mechanical trades.
In addition to our Construction site in Buckhaven, August 2023 saw the opening of our new purpose built Community Kitchen in the neighbouring town of Leven. This new premise houses modern facilities and a spacious learning environment, including 8 cooking ovens, 8, 4 ring counter top stoves, and plenty of worktop space for pupils to explore and improve their cooking skills and knowledge. In addition, our Leven location also includes a large upstairs space which has been utilised as offices for our staff, and two ‘chilled’ areas where the students can choose to challenge their friends to a game of pool or table tennis, play some videos games on the PlayStation or simply sit around with friends and chat.
Throughout the year we also provide the children from local primary schools with the opportunity to join our holiday camps. We offer Easter, Summer and October holiday camps, which have all been massive successes with the students and their families. Our camps are designed to give young people a safe, structured and engaging environment during the school holidays, where they can try new activities, build friendships and develop confidence. Each camp offers a varied programme of hands-on experiences, including construction challenges, mechanical projects, cooking sessions in our Community Kitchen and outdoor activities that promote teamwork and resilience. As well as learning practical skills, children are encouraged to develop communication, problem-solving and social skills in a supportive setting led by experienced staff. Whether they are baking, building, exploring STEM activities or taking part in community-based projects, every child is given the opportunity to grow in confidence while having fun. Our holiday camps are not just about keeping young people busy — they are about inspiring curiosity, encouraging creativity and strengthening connections within our community.
Our Community Projects form an important part of what we do at Community Trade Hub, allowing young people to give back to the area while developing a strong sense of responsibility and pride. Through a range of practical, hands-on initiatives, participants are encouraged to play an active role in improving their local environment and supporting the wider community. Projects include environmental activities such as litter picking and area clean-ups, restoration and improvement work, and collaborative initiatives with local partners. These experiences help young people understand the impact they can have when working together towards a shared goal. By contributing positively to their surroundings, they begin to see themselves as valued members of the community. Community Projects also provide opportunities to build teamwork, leadership and communication skills in real-world settings. Working alongside staff, volunteers and local organisations, participants gain confidence while developing a deeper connection to Levenmouth and the people within it. Through these projects, we are not only improving physical spaces — we are helping to shape responsible, engaged and community-minded individuals.
Our STEM Mobile Workshop is an extremely valuable member of our team here at the Community Trade Hub. This helps us to offer our students and clients a hands – on approach to learning across a range of curriculums, all whilst on the go! This STEM Mobile Workshop boasts a spacious area in the rear that can be kitted and fitted out to meet the needs of the activities which are carried out with our students and clients. Not only do we use our STEM Mobile Workshop for our existing students and clients. We also take advantage of this fabulous asset to reach our wider community, and showcase the fantastic services and courses we can provide, as well as the hard work and dedication that our staff put in to ensure the young people can get the most out of their experience.
At Community Trade Hub, the true measure of our success is the progress made by the young people we support. Every individual who joins us brings their own challenges, ambitions and potential. Through hands-on training, personalised guidance and consistent encouragement, we help them build confidence, develop practical skills and take meaningful steps towards their goals.
The stories below highlight just a few examples of young people who have grown in confidence, gained recognised qualifications and moved forward into further education or employment. Their achievements reflect the commitment, resilience and determination they have shown — and the positive impact that the right support at the right time can make.
Blair left school with very little education. Blair’s career goal in life is to become a joiner but had no confidence it could become a reality. It’s great to see that this has now become a reality as Blair is working with Campion Homes in the joinery team and loving it. Blair achieved this certificate due to his hard work, determination, and desire to do well.
Murdo left school with very little education and was kicked out of school regularly. Many people had written Murdo off before he started the training programme but we can’t speak highly enough of Murdo. Murdo has proved himself to be a highly capable and talented individual during his time with us. In addition, he has secured a position with a local construction company.
Brandon left school with very little education and really had no idea for a career.
He went to 16+ project in the area to find help and support. He then started our Construction Training Programme. At first, Brandon was following the crowd, however after two days he totally focused on himself and really stuck in. In addition, he successfully achieved a trainee supervisor post.
Robbie joined our Introduction to Construction course back in Oct 19, having left school with low grades and no direction. Robbie has since become a part of the CTH Team, using the skills he has developed to support our clients. Unfortunately, having left school with Nat 3 grades, Robbie could not apply for an apprenticeship; however, we have been able to partner with the local college to gain the Nat 5 grades required to start his apprenticeship.
Eve joined our Get to Construction course which was supported by Skills Development Scotland. Since then she has identified her trade, enrolled in College to gain her ABE grades and has successfully gained her certification for CSCS, PASMA and IPAF. Eve’s confidence has soared during her time at CTH and this has made a significant impact to her mental health and wellbeing.
Dean recently contacted us looking for support with changing his career. Currently working as a store assistant, he wanted to develop skills in plastering with the intention of becoming self employed. Dean has used his time between shifts to concentrate on developing his skills and is successfully on his way to his new career.
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