With national and global skills shortages in engineering, Finning – the world’s largest dealer of Catâ equipment, parts and services – is bucking the trend by successfully developing its own talent. Not only does its UK Apprenticeship Academy boast a 100% retention rate – meaning all students over the last
Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, comments on the announced closure of Women into Construction after 16 years of operation: Jon Howlin commented: “I was truly saddened to hear the news about Women into Construction closing its doors after 16 years of incredible work. Kath Moore MBE and her
The life of Louis Bienaime might easily have gone in a different direction, but instead he is a great example of how the construction sector can help turnaround the fortunes of individuals, and gain valuable employees. Uncertainty over employment, an appearance before the court, and limited outlook nearly took Louis
Leading construction company Henry Brothers has partnered with the Scottish Prison Service to support its workshop joinery training programme, designed to improve employability skills for inmates upon release. As part of its ongoing work with the Dunfermline Army Reserve Project, Henry Brothers has acquired five eight-seater picnic tables produced through
Contractor trains up STEM ‘Careers Champions’ to roll out North East Ambition Programme in region’s schools. Esh Construction has partnered with the North East Combined Authority to enhance STEM provision in schools across the region. Working collaboratively through the Combined Authority’s North East Ambition Programme, which aims to champion the
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced today that it will start Consensus engagement with the construction industry on Levy proposals for 2026-29 in September 2024. Consensus is a process that CITB usually undertakes every three years to ask construction employers for their views on its plans for generating
A resounding 88% of the UK’s top universities believe that higher and degree apprenticeships hold the key to the newly elected Labour government driving economic growth and addressing the talent needs across the construction sector. The survey by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) of its university members, explores what
A Proud History and a Bright Future Energy & Utility Skills celebrates 25 years as an industry skills body, collaborating with employers, regulators, governments and agencies across the UK. For over a quarter of a century, the business has identified workforce and skills needs, adapting to many challenges, and delivering
Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands, is offering a paid placement scheme this summer that will boost career prospects for university students. Thirty two students from 12 universities – including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University and Coventry University – have secured places
Representatives from 25 North East businesses support culmination of award-winning employability programme. More than 300 students from schools across the North East and Tees Valley attended the Building My Skills Mock Interview Day at the home of Newcastle Eagles, Vertu Motors Arena on July 11th. The Mock Interview Day is
With national and global skills shortages in engineering, Finning – the world’s largest dealer of Catâ equipment, parts and services – is bucking the trend by successfully developing its own talent. Not only does its UK Apprenticeship Academy boast a 100% retention rate – meaning all students over the last two years have gone on to employment with the company – but it has now also achieved a “good” OFSTED rating. Finning launched its Apprenticeship Academy at its Cannock UK headquarters in 2007. This was an unusual step at the time, as most businesses take on apprentices in the role of employer, while an educational institution, usually a College of Further Education (FE) delivers the academic learning and administers the qualification. But the decision quickly started to return real business benefits. The academy was inspected by OFSTED in July this year, receiving highly positive feedback on the state-of-the-art learning environment, a culture of inclusivity and the enjoyment apprentices find in their courses. Inspectors also noted how effective communication between instructors and line managers helped apprentices to improve, and how students with additional needs achieved as well as their peers. As Academy Manager Craig Smallman explains, the rating reflects the importance Finning has placed on the scheme and the impact it has had both for apprentices and the business. “By keeping the whole apprenticeship program in-house, we can deliver academic learning in the best way to prepare our students for a career with us – enthusing people about engineering and addressing the ongoing skills shortages the industry faces. “The results from Ofsted speak for themselves. The national retention figure for apprenticeship employers is around 56%, but at Finning we’ve retained all but one of our apprentices over the last two years who have gone on to secure a job with us. It’s a fantastic endorsement of the talented people we have working here and the focus we place on supporting them.” With the program now in its 18th year, its positive influence can be seen right across the company. Academy graduates now fulfil a variety of management positions in both engineering and non-engineering roles. This includes Craig, who himself started his career with Finning as an apprentice, and is particularly proud of how the scheme has fostered wider diversity and inclusion: “Diversity and inclusion is an area where we see a real opportunity for the academy to contribute to the wider organization and the industry. We have measures in place to recruit and support a diverse cohort and it was great to see that recognised in the Ofsted report. Over the next few years, we plan to double in size and this year’s intake will be the biggest ever. The ages of our current students range from 16 to 53, we are a disability confident employer, one in six of our apprentices are female and we would like it to be more. Finning is an amazing place to work with opportunities to travel all over the world and work with great people. We have sites right across the UK and Ireland so whoever and wherever you are, if you would like to work with these amazing machines, we would love to hear from you.”
Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, comments on the announced closure of Women into Construction after 16 years of operation: Jon Howlin commented: “I was truly saddened to hear the news about Women into Construction closing its doors after 16 years of incredible work. Kath Moore MBE and her team have made a tremendous impact on our industry, supporting thousands of women and helping to break down barriers in construction. At The Skills Centre, we’ve been proud to collaborate with Women into Construction on several programmes, helping many women start their careers in this field. Their closure is a significant loss, but it also reminds us of the importance of the work that still needs to be done. The numbers — 4,700 women supported, 1,300 placed in employment—are a testament to the change that can happen when we work together. But this journey isn’t over. We now have to think about how we can build on what’s been achieved and ensure that the momentum isn’t lost. This is a time for all of us in the industry to come together, to keep pushing for diversity, and to make sure the progress we’ve seen continues. We’re committed to this at The Skills Centre, and we know that with the support and collaboration of our industry, we can keep moving forward. Thank you to Kath and her team for all they’ve done. Let’s honour their legacy by continuing to open doors and create opportunities for everyone in construction.” The Skills Centre is one of the UK’s leading construction skills training companies with centres in central London, Kent, Cardiff and the West Midlands. The Skills Centre specialises in training and apprenticeships for groundwork, formwork and steel fixing, and its learners and apprentices work on major projects across the UK, including HS2, Everton Football Ground, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Canada Water. The Skills Centre’s ambition is to transform lives, creating local opportunities for local people and opening the doors to a career in construction through collaboration with industry and community leaders. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The life of Louis Bienaime might easily have gone in a different direction, but instead he is a great example of how the construction sector can help turnaround the fortunes of individuals, and gain valuable employees. Uncertainty over employment, an appearance before the court, and limited outlook nearly took Louis on a downward trajectory. But despite the odds, Louis turned his life around and within two years, is now helping others improve their life chances as part of his role as a Customer Services Apprentice at Wates Living Space on the housing maintenance contract for Croydon Council, a key function which is supporting the company’s social values initiatives that help other young people. After his brush with the courts, Louis’ family pointed him towards taking the Construkt course run by Serious About Youth at Croydon College. The Construkt programme focuses on those aged 16 to 25 years old from black, asian and minority (BAME) backgrounds, particularly those not in education, employment or training (NEETS). It provides individuals like Louis with pathways into construction industry and engineering careers, builds confidence, teaches team working, and in the case of those choosing a career in building, Health and Safety Level 1 and CSCS card training. The course also helps individuals secure apprenticeships, permanent employment and work experience, and has resulted in positive outcomes for more than 75 per cent of participants. Louis joined the Construkt course sponsored by Wates, and it turned his life around. It gave him the confidence, knowledge, skills and ambition to work in the construction sector, and trained in how to work collaboratively in a positive team environment alongside others. It also taught planning, including practical exercises such as producing the technical as well as engineering elements involved in producing tenders. This includes building large scale models out of timber. A key element the Construkt programme also involves preparing individuals for what comes after the course, including writing a CV and interview skills. This says Louis, was very significant in providing the confidence to tackle the jobs market, which again was made easier because another factor of the course is arranging for perspective employers to attend an end of course social get together. As a course sponsor, and because Wates has a hands-on approach to social and community projects it supports in Croydon and elsewhere, the course was visited by Jamie Clancy-Toomey, Social Value Manager at Wates, and that is where she and Louis first met. And it could also have been their only encounter. But it was not, thanks to Rommell Wallace, Co-founder and Director of Serious About Youth, who had become a trusted mentor to those on the course. Louis explains: ‘At the end of the Construkt course there was a celebratory get together attended by local employers. Lacking a bit of confidence, I wasn’t going to go in, but Rommell told me I needed to. That I needed to put myself forward in front of those who were offering apprenticeships. He told me nobody could do it for me. So I went, and I met Jamie again, and the result is me now working for Wates.’ Louis was not the only one on the course to land an apprenticeship with Wates. Jermal Douglin-Kirton, another Croydon Student, got an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and at least two others have done the same course and undertaken work experience with Wates, with the potential of them going for a further internship or employment. The benefit to individuals is clear, but it also benefits the wider community and economy. As a Customer Services Apprentice, Louis’ primary role is in liaising with Croydon Council in the delivery of Wates housing maintenance contract services, and involves working with a wide range people and organisations to ensure services are provided to standard and on time. It involves constant learning, and Louis finds great reward in no two days being the same. ‘One of the great things about the job is the variety. One minute I can speaking with suppliers, the next it can be a liaising with someone in a council department. No day is the same,’ says Louis. However, a key part of Louis’ job is also helping to implement social value programmes run by Wates in Croydon, including supporting students work experience, helping the elderly with digital skills and community building projects planting allotments. Louis also shares his experiences with other young people as part of the programme. As Louis comments, ‘I’m in a great position to help others. Because of my experiences I can relate to people in ways that helps them, and allows them to find the right direction. Louis recognises his life could be very different, and is absolutely clear about why his journey has taken the positive course that it has. Support from family, and being able to join the Construkt course, and the dedication of Wates in implementing social value commitments, but crucially, it is the influence of Rommell Wallace as an effective and influential mentor that pushed Louis into helping himself. Louis emphasises there is an important lesson for others. There are opportunities for young people, but you have to make the most of them, to be bold in a positive way, and be prepared to get noticed for the right reasons. ‘Others cannot do it for you,’ he says. Jamie Clancy-Toomey points out, the new phase of Louis’ life is a result of others creating opportunity, and Louis himself taking responsibility. ‘Wates provides a range of opportunities for young people. We provide finance for courses, plus support in other ways. There are opportunities out there created by Serious About Youth and others, but when it comes down to it, young people also have to put themselves out there.’ This sentiment strongly endorsed by Rommell Wallace. ‘In areas like Croydon, negatives circles of influence can be found all over, and it is often easy to get drawn in. But there are also positive entry points and avenues to be taken if individuals have the motivation,’
Leading construction company Henry Brothers has partnered with the Scottish Prison Service to support its workshop joinery training programme, designed to improve employability skills for inmates upon release. As part of its ongoing work with the Dunfermline Army Reserve Project, Henry Brothers has acquired five eight-seater picnic tables produced through the Prison Service training initiative. Ian Henry, CR Director at Henry Brothers, commented: “As a responsible business, Henry Brothers is passionate about supporting the areas in which it operates and providing opportunities to enhance local spaces. “This initiative embodies our core values, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and collaboration for positive impact, and we are thrilled that we can give back in a way that benefits the wider community.” Henry Brothers, which has an office in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, secured the contract for the construction of the new Army Reserve Centre in Dunfermline in 2022. The five tables purchased will be generously donated to Fife Council for Dunfermline Public Park, Pittencreiff Park and St Leonard’s Park in line with the objectives of the Park Improvement Strategy. Adele Rae, General Manager at SPS Fauldhouse said: “Individuals in the care of the Scottish Prison Service have been involved in the manufacturing of a range of quality garden products for over 35 years. “The joinery training programmes in our prisons give people the opportunity to gain valuable new skills and qualifications and make positive changes to their lives. “We are delighted to see that their work is benefiting the local community in Dunfermline”. Fife Council’s Convener of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, Cllr James Calder commented: “Henry Brothers plays a vital role in community support, and its recent generous donation will have a notable impact. “The contributed benches are expected to enhance our outdoor facilities, encouraging increased use of the park and contributing to the improved health and well-being of the local community by fostering a connection with nature. “The success of the Park Improvement Strategy, which seeks to upgrade facilities for residents, workers, and visitors alike, is dependent, in part, on contributions from responsible local businesses such as Henry Brothers and we are thrilled to have their support in this endeavour.” For more information about the company’s’ extensive corporate responsibility programme, visit henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor trains up STEM ‘Careers Champions’ to roll out North East Ambition Programme in region’s schools. Esh Construction has partnered with the North East Combined Authority to enhance STEM provision in schools across the region. Working collaboratively through the Combined Authority’s North East Ambition Programme, which aims to champion the full potential of the region by connecting communities and giving people the skills to succeed, Esh has provided six bespoke kits to support a wider understanding of STEM-related construction careers. Through the programme, Esh is currently training up six Careers Champions, who will then host a ‘Get into STEM’ session in participating schools, with the kits available for schools to book out and use for extra-curricular sessions that will promote STEM careers. Already, 55 primary schools have expressed interest in getting involved. Esh’s award winning ‘Get into STEM’ programme is designed to positively shape career aspirations whilst developing skill sets essential for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. Since 2015, Esh has delivered the programme to more than 16,900 primary school students across the North East, Tees Valley and Yorkshire. Kate Marshall, Social Value Manager for the North East at Esh Construction said: “Our team has been working closely with the Careers Champions to demonstrate programme delivery of the STEM kits, so that they can train up teachers and classroom assistants to use the kits within their own schools. The initiative to enhance STEM understanding to more students across our region will ultimately raise awareness of a range of career options in the construction and built environment sector. “At a time when our industry is dealing with a skills shortage, engaging with students from a young age will provide opportunities as we move into the 2030s and beyond. Our relationship with the North East Combined Authority continues to prosper to bring through the next generation of STEM workers, and we’re excited to watch as this programme develops over the coming months.” Two Careers Champions are based in Northumberland, as well as one covering Newcastle and North Tyneside, one for Sunderland and South Tyneside, one for Gateshead and one for County Durham schools. Each STEM kit contains bright and vibrant resources such as foam bricks, measuring equipment, literature and personal protective equipment, with a vision to raise student awareness of the world around them, consider STEM topics and reinforce important construction health and safety messages. Through its North East Ambition programme, the Combined Authority is supporting schools to broaden horizons, raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and help children connect their learning to the world around them. Experience of real-world careers such as those demonstrated through the use of the STEM kits and Careers Champions is a key part of meeting these aims. Councillor Tracey Dixon, North East Combined Authority Cabinet member for Education, Inclusion and Skills, said: “This STEM kit rollout will support our work delivering careers related learning for primary schools in the region, by providing an opportunity for meaningful employer engagement within a key sector. The kit will help challenge gender stereotyping, support numeracy and literacy, and give the children a chance to learn about different progression pathways that will be available for them in the future, including apprenticeships and T Levels.” The school rollout will commence in autumn, with a system being set up for schools to contact the Career Champions to book the kit out through a booking and collection point. Schools may then deliver their own sessions as per the lesson plan outlined, or may choose to use the kit alongside other STEM-related lessons. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced today that it will start Consensus engagement with the construction industry on Levy proposals for 2026-29 in September 2024. Consensus is a process that CITB usually undertakes every three years to ask construction employers for their views on its plans for generating Levy and the skills and training this will deliver to the industry. CITB’s core focus for the proposals being shared in September is to ensure that the exemptions and reductions stay current and appropriate. During the autumn consultation period, CITB will host a series of webinars to inform employers of the 2026-29 proposals and gather their opinions. CITB will also seek views on the skills and training outcomes it has delivered for industry over the past three years by way of the latest Levy. The feedback will be collated for the Levy Strategy Committee – an independent group of industry representatives and external specialists – which will provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board before it submits the final Levy proposals to Government. In doing so, CITB has to demonstrate that it has representative agreement on the proposals from the employers who pay the resulting Levy assessments. Levy is fundamental to CITB’s support for the British construction industry in developing the skilled workforce needed now and in the future. Earlier this year, CITB released figures through its annual CSN report stating that the UK will require over 250,000 extra construction workers by 2028 to meet current demand. With such a pressing need for growth, CITB’s role is vital in helping the industry – through upskilling and training – create a workforce that holds the necessary knowledge and experience to deliver the highest standards of work. Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “Reaching industry agreement on the Levy through Consensus is critical for British construction. CITB can only provide the skills system that the industry desperately needs with their input and support, so it’s important that we hear from employers and prescribed organisations to help shape our proposals. With the industry set to grow over the coming years, bolstered by a new Government committed to getting Britain building again, ensuring our workforce has the skills and training required to take advantage of this opportunity is essential. “We look forward to sharing our Levy proposals with employers across the industry and gathering their feedback so that we can develop a robust roadmap providing high-quality apprenticeships and funded training to deliver the skills needed throughout the industry.” Measuring Consensus is a sample-based process, so there is no expectation that all Levy payers will be asked to provide their views. However, the sample is designed to be representative of the Levy paying population and of a large enough size to report reliable results. All employers can have a say during the consultation phase of Consensus. Views can be provided at a dedicated online consultation channel, Citizen Space, available from mid-September 2024. To find out more about Consensus, please visit: https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/industry-consultation-consensus/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A resounding 88% of the UK’s top universities believe that higher and degree apprenticeships hold the key to the newly elected Labour government driving economic growth and addressing the talent needs across the construction sector. The survey by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) of its university members, explores what policy commitments and funding support the new government should make to ensure higher and degree apprenticeships meet the sector’s skills gap. Those surveyed are of the firm belief that Labour should continue the progress made across higher and degree apprenticeships under the previous government, with 84% urging Labour to support their continued growth. From a financial perspective, 64% believe the new government should commit to helping universities meet the cost challenges of delivering higher and degree apprenticeships in partnership with construction employers and help them diversify their provision to meet the needs of more business sectors. With attention now fixed on how building firms will contribute to funding apprenticeships, the research explored the impact Labour’s Growth and Skills Levy will have when it replaces the Conservative’s Apprenticeship Levy, which is financed by a 0.5% compulsory contribution by employers with payroll costs of over £3m. Despite being met with concerns especially from levy-paying organisations and regarded as another form of business taxation, 60% of universities felt the Apprenticeship Levy better supported the delivery of apprenticeships across all levels, ages and occupations when compared to Labour’s new funding solution. However, in a boost to construction firms paying the current levy, 28% felt that apprenticeship provision for 16-18 year olds should be paid for by general taxation in same way as A levels, T levels and Applied Generals. Over three quarters (77%) of respondents are concerned that Labour’s Growth and Skills Levy could allow construction employers to spend up to 50% of their payments on non-apprenticeship training which could hinder the volume of top talent entering the sector via apprenticeships. Those in favour of the creation of the future Growth and Skills Levy believe it will drive improvements within the sector, with 45% believing it will offer a fairer apprenticeship deal to both large and small employers. Around a third (32%) feel it will provide more funding to higher and degree apprenticeships than the previous government and 36% believe it will increase social mobility in relation to apprenticeship delivery. One of the big issues under the previous government was the approximate 20% of its annual apprenticeship budget being pledged to degree apprenticeships, with 77% of universities believing that was not enough under the Conservatives to meet the needs of the construction sector. Dr. Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive for UVAC commented: “Given that there is still some uncertainly around Labour’s skills policy and how it will meet its manifesto pledges, we were keen to gauge the mood of universities delivering higher and degree apprenticeships in partnership with construction employers of all sizes. “Our members clearly feel it’s vital that Labour continues to safeguard the future of apprenticeships and makes them available to people of all ages and across all qualification and skill levels, so that a change in government doesn’t stifle their growth. Any risk to the funding of higher and degree apprenticeships seems unthinkable when you consider how critical they are to promoting social inclusion, bolstering the wider UK economy and addressing the skills gap across the sector. “Our survey is a real eye-opener into what the higher and degree apprenticeship landscape could look like under the newly elected government and we’d urge Labour to take on board our findings and the views of both universities and employers responsible for their provision.” To find out more information on how UVAC is helping universities and employers support the delivery of higher and degree apprenticeships, please visit www.uvac.ac.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Proud History and a Bright Future Energy & Utility Skills celebrates 25 years as an industry skills body, collaborating with employers, regulators, governments and agencies across the UK. For over a quarter of a century, the business has identified workforce and skills needs, adapting to many challenges, and delivering solutions to meet employers’ needs. Celebrating the anniversary on 22 July, Phil Beach CBE, CEO of Energy & Utility Skills said, “As the industry skills body for the sector, we are delighted to celebrate 25 years of achievement. This milestone reflects our success in collaborating with our members, government and key stakeholders to help deliver the skills that employers need. Our recent company party celebrated the wealth of experience and knowledge within our team and everything we have accomplished together. As skills and workforce experts, we’re proud of our work to set industry standards and deliver high-quality apprenticeship assessments, qualifications and schemes. We’re looking forward to continuing our work in support of industry and the UK’s ambitions for achieving net zero and environmental goals in the years ahead.” The organisation began in 1999 as the Gas Industries National Training Organisation (GINTO). In 2003 it began trading as Energy & Utility Skills and was awarded its licence to operate as a Sector Skills Council by the Department for Education and Skills. The Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR), launched in 2005, improves workforce safety and regulatory compliance through quality assurance, scheme development and a register of skills. Partnering with industry to provide a trusted, authoritative voice ensures a skilled, competent workforce. In 2006, EUSR launched the National Water Hygiene scheme, standardising hygiene training across water companies to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. EUSR is also the CSCS Alliance Partner for all on-site utilities work. In 2015, the business reacted to apprenticeship reform by launching Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS). It carried out the first end-point assessments in the country for the Power Network Craftsperson standard in 2016. Last year, the business expanded to develop qualifications to support the sector’s skills requirements. Energy & Utility Skills is the sector’s strategic voice on all skills issues, ensuring the right schemes, qualifications, apprenticeships, assessments and funding are in place across the UK. It supports the delivery of the workforce required to meet the UK’s energy and utilities infrastructure demands. Membership secures a seat at this influential table, enabling engagement as an industry with government, regulators and other key influencers, while receiving sector intelligence, research and insights to strategically drive their industry forward. Phil Beach added, “Our industries underwrite the UK’s ambitions to tackle the impacts of climate change through the drive to net zero and environmental improvements. A safe, skilled and sustainable workforce is critical for achieving these goals and we bring industry together to champion skills issues.” With this in mind, the inaugural Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 10 September 2024. With significant changes ahead, the conference will focus on skills and jobs related to the green agenda and achieving net zero, sharing knowledge and celebrating excellence. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands, is offering a paid placement scheme this summer that will boost career prospects for university students. Thirty two students from 12 universities – including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University and Coventry University – have secured places on the eight-week programme, supporting the construction of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Now in its third year, the Balfour Beatty VINCI undergraduate summer scheme gives students who live or study in the West Midlands the chance to earn and gain valuable work experience in a specialist subject area during the holidays. The 2024 programme includes a series of placement opportunities at Balfour Beatty VINCI construction sites and offices across south Staffordshire, Birmingham and Warwickshire. Places have been secured by students studying a broad range of subjects, including civil engineering, quantity surveying and design engineering. With the programme extended to those who permanently live in the Midlands, undergraduates studying at universities in Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham and Cardiff are also taking part in this year’s scheme. Naomi Bates, Skills, Education and Employment Business Partner at Balfour Beatty VINCI who leads the programme said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming our next cohort of students this summer, who are joining us on an eight-week placement to learn new skills and get some invaluable work experience during the holidays. “This paid programme is now in its third year and has been extremely successful in supporting university students either living or studying locally. It’s a great pathway for students who want to progress onto graduate programmes with Balfour Beatty and VINCI, once they’ve completed their studies.” Julie Venn-Morton, HS2’s Senior Legacy Manager for the region, said: “At HS2, we’re committed to upskilling Britain by creating new jobs and boosting career prospects for people right across the country, including here in the West Midlands. “For these students, a summer job working on HS2 is a perfect opportunity to earn while being part of a world-leading infrastructure project. We are thrilled to welcome them all and look forward to hearing about their experience at the end of programme.” This year’s cohort also includes students studying finance, IT and environmental sustainability – demonstrating the broad range of careers that transport infrastructure projects encompass. Catherine Purcell, 21 and from Kings Norton, is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, said: “I’m really excited to join Balfour Beatty VINCI’s summer placement programme and learn as much as I can during the next eight weeks. It’s a huge opportunity to learn how BBV is helping to build HS2 in the Midlands.” Andreas Edwards, 26 and from Stourbridge, is studying Quantity Surveying at Aston University. He said: “I was previously unemployed before joining BBV on a pre-employment training programme. My short time with BBV inspired me to pursue a career in the construction industry and I haven’t looked back since. “I’m now studying at university to become a qualified quantity surveyor and this placement will help me to deepen my understanding of the role in a real-life environment.” As construction continues at pace between the West Midlands and London, HS2 is now supporting more than 31,000 jobs – including through apprenticeships, graduate opportunities and by helping people into employment. When complete, HS2 will improve connections between London and the West Midlands, with trains running further north on existing lines. This new high-speed railway will create quicker and far more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the existing West Coast Main Line. For more information about the wide variety of career and employment opportunities available with HS2 and its supply chain partners, visit hs2.org.uk/careers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Representatives from 25 North East businesses support culmination of award-winning employability programme. More than 300 students from schools across the North East and Tees Valley attended the Building My Skills Mock Interview Day at the home of Newcastle Eagles, Vertu Motors Arena on July 11th. The Mock Interview Day is the culmination of the multi award-winning programme – coordinated by Esh Group on behalf of the region’s businesses and schools – which aims to raise students’ career aspirations by providing them with an introduction to the world of work, and an insight into sectors and jobs they may not otherwise have been aware of. Over 30 businesses from sectors such as legal, housing and banking took part in 2024’s Building My Skills and between them delivered a total of 94 sessions. The programme launched in January and saw more than 4,500 students from seven secondary schools and sixth form colleges take part in four workshops each. After each workshop, students completed an online ‘checkpoint’ that will assist them when mapping out their own career aspirations, with topics including standing out from the competition and presenting yourself online, on paper, and in person. 25 businesses from the programme attended the Mock Interview Day where they hosted a panel of interviews for students aged between 13 and 18-year-old. The event gives students first-hand experience of what an interview is like in a professional environment, as well as an opportunity to explore their aspirational career further through one-to-one discussions with business role models. Corporate Affairs Director at Esh Group, Darush Dodds, has celebrated the success of mock interview day, commenting: “The mock interview day is always a worthwhile event. It provides valuable interview experiences but can open the door to second interviews for businesses who have opportunities available, such as apprenticeships, traineeships or paid placements. “Building My Skills is the personification of business-education collaboration. Throughout the year, connections between schools and businesses have been formed that may never have existed before this programme took place. More importantly, we have given over 4,500 students the platform to become employable once they leave school. Six months ago, when they started Building My Skills, they may not have known where their career path would lead them; hopefully, we have given them the boost they may have needed to decide their next steps.” John Green, Assistant Head Teacher at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School, said: “We have been involved with Building My Skills for many years now and it always provides really good opportunities for our students. The Mock Interview Day is their first chance to engage and communicate with an employer on a one to one basis. It helps them think about how they can develop their employability skills and how they can prepare themselves for when they leave school, and they get a real job interview.” Karen Marshall, Apprentice, Education and Engagement Lead at Accenture, said the programme provided a great opportunity to the region’s young people. She added: “Accenture have been involved with the delivery of Building My Skills since 2015 and have found it an invaluable programme, helping us reach thousands of school students across the North East. “It has an excellent structure, enabling employers to support the development of transferrable skills including interview skills, with students over an entire academic year. It gives Accenture the opportunity to showcase the Digital Sector in the North East and to highlight fantastic career opportunities to a wide audience of young people and teachers, many of whom may not have realised the pathways to rewarding and highly paid careers open to them on their doorstep. “It’s very well organised, the team at Esh make it very easy for businesses to participate, I’d encourage all employers to take part.” Among the panellists was Esh’s project manager from the Tyne Bridge scheme who gave real life insight to budding engineers of what it is like to work on the restoration of a North East icon. Planning has already started for the 2025 programme which will be launched later this year. If you would be interested in getting involved, contact Esh Group by visiting www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
