Bouygues UK, the construction company currently building the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, has joined forces with Skanska UK to showcase local construction projects and possible future construction careers to schoolchildren in Tewkesbury.
Tewkesbury, which will create 136,000sq ft for 56 high quality retail and food and beverage brands when it opens in Spring 2025. Skanska UK is also working in Tewkesbury, modernising the British Army’s vehicle hub nearby.
In order to offer STEM engagement and promote the construction industry and career routes to nearby Tewkesbury Academy and Alderman Knight School, the two construction firms decided to work together to provide a joint delivery of STEM engagement, using ‘Building Aspirations’ sessions.
Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for the Cotswolds Designer Outlet project, Nick Toulson, said it is a great example of collaborative working between competitors to increase learning opportunities for the local community as well as offering an insight into the many careers available in the construction industry.
He said: “It’s quite a collaboration between two tier one construction companies working in Tewkesbury with major building contracts in close proximity, underway at the same time. Following a conversation between Bouygues UK, Skanska UK and Tewkesbury Academy at the school’s careers fair, we agreed to trial some joint delivery to increase learning opportunities for the students.
“It makes perfect sense as we are both working with the same school audience to offer STEM engagement, promote the construction industry and career routes. It’s been great working with Skanska and has really benefited the children we’re working with.”
Alex Green, Trainee Quantity Surveyor for Skanska UK added, “It has been a rewarding opportunity to shine a light on the diverse range of careers and opportunities in the construction industry. I myself, as a degree apprentice have been able to share first hand the path I have taken into the business, which is becoming ever more prevalent as another education option. Collaborating with Bouygues UK has been enjoyable, and I truly believe we have opened the minds of the young people to our industry.”
The collaboration has already led to four workshops which have been successfully delivered to 100 pupils.
Using a Building Aspirations session and showcasing Bouygues UK’ s and Skanska UK’s local construction projects, the team were able to:
- Establish the context of the construction
- Highlight current and future employment opportunities
- Explain the relevance of pupil’s education
- Highlight how maths is used in construction
Bouygues UK has also run Building Aspirations and Construction Challenge Lessons to local primary school children to two groups of pupils at Abbey View School and a Building Aspirations session and two Construction Management Challenge activities to Year Five at Carrant Brook Junior School.
Kelly Jefferies, Mathematics and Design Technology Lead, Carrant Brook Junior School said: “The pupils were extremely engaged and thoroughly enjoyed both sessions. These opportunities don’t come up very often for schools these days and so it was a fantastic experience for the children that they wouldn’t normally have in relation to STEM. The construction activity was great. It kept all children engaged and was an excellent high ceiling low threshold exercise which meant all abilities could be challenged.”
When working on any project, Bouygues UK takes great steps to add to the social value of the community in which it is working and is also working with the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) Gloucester and Tewkesbury Job Centres as part of their SWAP programme.
The sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) gives jobseekers who are 16 and over and are claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs. This programme can last up to six weeks and includes pre-employment training, on-site training and mentoring, a short work placement and a guaranteed job interview or help with the application process.
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