Morgan Sindall has joined forces with the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) and local charity R70L to boost construction skills in Cambridge
The partners will work closely with teachers at the college to link in with the school curriculum and will invite students to take part in a series of engagement activities, including visits to live construction sites.
The joint venture is part of the Class of Your Own ‘Adopt a School’ programme, which will provide funding for a Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) teacher to train a class of students at the college in the skills and knowledge needed for a career in construction.
In total 26 students have enrolled onto the DEC course, which will provide them with a Level 1 to 3 qualification in the built environment.
The sponsorship of the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST) is Morgan Sindall’s second Class of Your Own adoption in the East of England. The company has also been working closely with Alde Valley Academy in Leiston, Suffolk, over the last 18 months.
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Colin Bashford, director of science and technology at CAST, said: “The support of Morgan Sindall Construction, CFCI and R70L has provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to undertake applied learning for technical roles in the construction industry, which we hope will provide them with the solid foundations and awareness of what they can expect from a career in the built environment sector.
“Having access to a major contractor like Morgan Sindall Construction is invaluable for our students and we hope that the real-life experiences this programme provides will help to inspire them on the variety of opportunities and rewarding career paths on offer in the construction industry.”
Helen Clements, community investment advisor at Morgan Sindall Construction, commented: “Together with our partners, we’re looking forward to sponsoring CAST over the course of the next two academic years and ultimately help to make students feel inspired and informed about the construction industry and the variety of opportunities this sector can open up to them.”
Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, added: “Tackling the construction skills gap is the most pressing challenge facing our industry and Morgan Sindall Construction is a long term supporter of initiatives across the region that are helping to address the issue.
“We’re incredibly excited about this latest venture with CFCI and R70L, which signifies the beginning of an exciting new partnership.”
Elsewhere in the region
Morgan Sindall has recruited seven new apprentices to its Eastern Counties and Cambridge offices. The new starters are pursuing careers in marketing, quantity surveying, and site management.
The business has an engagement programme, with strong links in place with colleges, universities, training organisations and schools. Three of the seven new recruits applied for their apprenticeships after completing a programme of work experience with Morgan Sindall during Year 11 and 12.
