The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group recently held its annual Give Construction A Try (GCAT) event, giving local secondary school pupils the opportunity to explore the wide range of career opportunities available within the construction industry.
Held at Castleford College, the event was opened by Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and Andrew Drisdelle, Civil Construction Director for Milestone, who was the headline sponsor of the event.
In his opening speech, Andrew celebrated the multitude of opportunities available for young people within the construction industry and highlighted the important role that education plays in enabling young people to achieve their goals.
Throughout the day, over thirty employers ran various workshops that gave pupils the chance to explore and learn numerous construction skills. Some of the activities that were on offer included trimble laser scanning, controlling a plant simulator, emergency crisis planning, constructing a communications tower and building a low carbon Lego house.
Pupils participating in Milestone’s session
Sessions were delivered by Hargreaves, Willmott Dixon, Caddick, Morgan Sindall Property Services, Vico Homes, Sigma, Wienerberger, Robertson, Illingworth & Gregory, BAM, Bowmer & Kirkland, Wates, Milestone, Tri-Tech, Marlborough, TransPennine Route Upgrade East Alliance, Meldrum Group, Equans, Keepmoat Homes, Kier Group, Flannery, KOREC Group, Cantidad, YIRTG, Building Futures, Consult DJH and Managing 2 Succeed.
Debbie Lee, Employer Engagement Manager at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “Give Construction A Try provides a valuable opportunity to connect leading and emerging construction industry employers with young people who are beginning to explore their GCSE options. It allows pupils to discover the wide range of careers within the sector as we support them in expanding their understanding of future opportunities. The event was highly successful in achieving this, and we must thank the employers, schools and college staff that made the day so rewarding for pupils.”
With Give Construction a Try placing a strong emphasis on closing the gender gap within the construction industry, Kier delivered an inspiring session for female students to highlight the routes that they can take within the sector.
Members of Kier Group delivering a Women in Construction session
Local schools who participated on the day included Kings High School, Carlton High School, Castleford Academy, Airedale Academy, Crofton Academy, Trinity Academy Cathedral, Woodkirk Academy, High Well School, St Thomas a Beckett, Kettlethorpe High School, Outwood Academy Freeston, De Lacy Academy, Selby High School, Barlby High School, Evolve Academy and Minsthorpe High School.
This coincides with the completion of Castleford College’s new state-of-the-art Construction facility - a major investment that strengthens the Group’s Construction provision and gives students high-quality spaces to develop real industry skills and future career pathways.