Solent LEP aim to host construction workshop at Fareham college
Fareham College will host a two day Solent Local Enterprise Partnership skills workshop in October.
The event, entitled 'I-Construct' will run at Fareham College on the 6 and 7 October and is a promotion of civil engineering careers to year 7 to year 11 pupils.
Organisers hope to address some of the myths attached to the sector by highlighting it as an enjoyable and rewarding career choice.
The event will include workshops in addressing hypothetical emergency construction projects, namely a sinkhole emerging near a hospital.
The ten best pupil plans will receive an award from the Solent LEP.
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Participating students can also experience driving a digger, bulldozer and a dump truck at the event.
Experts from civil engineering and construction companies have volunteered to take part and will be available for interview by students.
The two-day skills is supported by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Brooke Hoskins, the Solent LEP's Executive Director for Skills said: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the ‘Best Innovative Idea’ award category, and to be part of the Judging Panel. Events like these truly support raising awareness among young people about potential careers in the construction industry and help with the narrowing of a potential skills gap in the future.
"Our Career and Skills team work hard throughout the year to support connections between industry and education. This work, and this type of region-wide event go a long way to prepare young people for the world of work and show them some of the opportunities within particular industries which support a better economic future for the region."
Jason Woodward, SHEQ Manager at PT Contractors, who is project managing the event, said: “There are 250+ direct career paths within construction and civil engineering, and a similar number of indirect roles in various supporting areas, from material suppliers, product manufacturers, to training, equipment and plant.
"What we find is that careers leaders, parents, and young people are often unaware of this. It is important to secure the future success of the construction and built environment sector, and that is why we are excited to be arranging the I-Construct event this October to educate and inspire young people about a potential future within the industry."
Event sponsors include Fareham College, who are providing their new, state-of-the-art facilities at the Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CMAST): The Hampshire Construction Training Association (HCTA) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and 25 other organisations.
Jason added: "We hope to myth-bust some of the misconceptions about working in the industry, and to attract a diverse group of people and ages to the open evening. Attendees on the evening will even get the chance to have a go on many of simulators available, or to handle some of the latest digital tech used by the industry."
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