In the first event of its kind, Construction Careers Week will take place for all Birmingham and Solihull senior schools from 9th – 13th October
Construction Careers Week is designed specifically to tie in with the dates of UK Construction Week 2017 at the NEC, providing real-life insight for schools in Birmingham into the vital construction and built environment sector in the region which has plenty of prospects for future training and employment.
Produced by Built Environment Skills in Schools, Construction Careers Week will form the launch event of an academic year of careers support for local students and teachers.
The week comprises a number of exciting activities that are either hosted by employers from the sector across the region or co-hosted by representatives from construction employers within classrooms. In addition to construction site visits, classroom activities and employer-hosted business talks, students will also have the opportunity to attend a huge speed networking event, hosted by UK Construction Week at the NEC on Wednesday 11th October. And employers who participate in the Careers Speed Networking can even hear an exclusive skills talk from Mark Farmer, whose ‘Modernise or Die‘ report will be celebrating its first birthday.
Across a diverse range of roles, from structural engineering to marketing, from town planning to virtual reality, from archaeology to environmental science, participating construction employers aim to demonstrate and demystify their sector to inspire the region’s future generation.
Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, founder of Built Environment Skills in Schools, will also be part of a UK Construction Week panel debate around the skills gap on the Regeneration Hub on 11th October. Kathryn said, “Construction has a lousy image among young people, and in our research, less than 2% of senior school pupils are actively considering careers in construction. That is until they see the incredible opportunities that the sector has to offer. But with only 10% of construction employers supporting schools with careers-related outreach, very few children have their misconceptions challenged. We hope that Construction Careers Week will be the first of many similar events around the country, bringing students and employers together. It is a no-brainer for employers who are committed to their future workforce – we provide the students, you tell them about the opportunities.”
More information can be found on the Built Environment Skills in Schools website: http://www.beskillsinschools.co.uk
