Our Story

SkillRise Training Ltd began with a simple question:
Where do young people go to learn real, practical skills anymore?

That question was asked, and answered by our founder, Katie Doherty. A passionate advocate for hands-on education, Katie’s journey into vocational training started not on a building site, but at her kitchen table, searching for meaningful, skills-based learning for children.

Like many parents exploring home education, she was frustrated by the lack of practical learning options, no structured courses for scaffolding. carpentry, basic electrics, tool safety, or even plumbing. Everything seemed either too academic, too expensive, or completely disconnected from the real world.

So, she did what people with a vision do:
She built what was missing.

Katie founded SkillRise Training Ltd with a mission to make practical, vocational education accessible, for young people learning at home, for those in alternative provisions, and for anyone ready to gain the confidence and skills needed to step into the construction industry.

As the business grew, she was joined by experienced professionals from the scaffolding world, mates who had seen the same thing on-site for years: not enough trained, confident scaffolders coming through, and far too many young people missing out on solid careers because no one showed them the way in.

Together, they expanded SkillRise into a trusted training provider that blends real-world experience with Katie’s original spark: helping people learn by doing.

What We Do Now

Today, SkillRise delivers:

• Industry-recognised qualifications like CISRS COTS, CITB SMSTS, and NVQ Level 2 Scaffolding

• Practical, project-based courses for home-educated learners and youth groups

• Support for PRUs, colleges, and local authorities looking for hands-on learning that actually lands

Whether you're 14 or 40, at home or on site, we believe everyone deserves the chance to build something real with their hands, their mind, and their future.

Why We Exist

At SkillRise, we don’t just teach skills.
We pass on what we’ve learned in life, on site, and through every project we’ve ever built.
We believe in second chances, fresh starts, and the power of practical learning to change lives.

We don’t train workers. We help build futures.