News
18/05/06 Bristol youngsters get a taste of Consturction
The six-week project, running between 18 May and 22 June, has been designed to give ten Year 10 pupils from various Bristol schools a taste of what it would be like to work in the industry and the career opportunities available to them in the sector.
During six, half-day sessions the youngsters will be sampling carpentry, brick laying, plastering, painting and decorating as well as visiting a local construction site. The sessions will be led by Ken Bullock, a retired ISG Pearce site manager, who will be giving close guidance on the skills required.
Education manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills South West, David Payne, said: “It is extremely important that we encourage more young people into the construction industry. Recent research suggests that more than 4,000 new people are needed to join the construction industry in craft, management and technical roles in the South West each year until 2007.
“There has never been a more exciting time for the construction industry in the Bristol area with many new projects underway or on the horizon, such as the Broadmead redevelopment, Harbourside and Temple Quay developments.
“These sessions and on-site visit will provide young people with valuable hands-on experience of some of the career opportunities in the construction industry.”
Project leader at ISG Pearce, Tom Harper said: ”We are all learning a great deal from this programme – not just the youngsters! Its success lies in the use of practical exercises to learn key skills rather than relying on a classroom approach. The students come to be challenged and experience the world of work, so using Ken, an experienced site manager, to lead the sessions has been extremely valuable. Ordinarily his skills and experience would be lost to the industry on retirement – now he is able to pass this on to young people who want to learn.
“We’re delighted to have been involved in this pilot and are now looking to develop a ‘model’ course which can be used with other collaborative groups. These young people really do represent the future of our industry.”
Project manager at Young Bristol, Tim Leaman said: “Young Bristol is very excited to see this project take shape. The business community have a lot to offer young people and Young Bristol are delighted to be working with ISG Pearce and CITB-ConstructionSkills to offer opportunities not normally available to young people through the curriculum in school."
If you are interested in finding out further information about this project please contact David Payne at CITB-ConstructionSkills on 07767 341714/ david.payne@citb.co.uk, Tom Harper at the ISG Pearce on 0117 923 6500 or Tim Leaman at Young Bristol on 0117 953 7921.
