CONSTRUCTING EARLY CAREERS
THE LATEST HOP INTO CONSTRUCTION DAY!
20 sixth-form students from a variety of schools and colleges participated in an insight day led by our Cornerstone Construction companies—Willmott Dixon, BAM, Morgan Sindall, AVV Solutions, and CiTB—and supported by Bowmer & Kirkland.
Students gave up their half-term break to attend the session hosted at the University of Hertfordshire to learn about the degree apprenticeships available and the many routes into the construction industry.
Throughout the day, the students heard from a number of industry professionals, including Imogen, a site manager from BAM who joined the group virtually to provide a tour of their building site in Swanley. They also heard from Sophie, who is now on a management trainee scheme, about her journey into industry, including the recruitment and application process.
The students engaged in group tasks that looked at a design and project management process, highlighting the teamwork and communication skills required to thrive in the industry. Working in small teams, they had to create a design for an environmentally sustainable three-bedroom house. What they didn’t realise was that having drawn up their design, they would be swapping with another group and tasked to ‘build’ their plan using paper and limited resources. This activity highlighted the variety of roles required to complete a project, exposing them to the teamwork, communication, and adaptability required in industry.
Charlie, a Year 13 student from Haileybury Turnford School, felt the day has furthered his desire to work in construction:
"I’ve always had a very keen interest in the construction industry and was looking at degree apprenticeships, but now that I’ve attended HOP Into Construction today, I now realise that there are lots of different pathways available. I could go to university and take a placement year or look into a Level 3 diploma. When we did the design activity, it opened my eyes to the different roles involved that I could follow. I had only considered quantity surveying, but there’s a lot more. Today’s been really useful, and I’m pleased that I came."
Marylou, a Year 13 A-Level student from Loreto College, St Albans, reflected on the skills that she has been exposed to:
"Working in a team has consolidated my confidence to communicate with people I don’t know. I was sitting in a group of people I’d never met before, and we worked together really well. It's been a valuable insight into industry, and I’m even more determined that my next step will be to find a pathway into construction."
The day concluded with the groups presenting their completed projects and could receive feedback from their designers.
Julie Tincknell, Director at AVV Solutions, said:
"This is the fifth HOP Into Construction session that we’ve delivered, but this was the first with a focus on degree apprenticeships and post-18 options. The students handled the day really well and were receptive to the challenges provided and feedback given.
Supporting the Careers Hub in Hertfordshire enables us to educate young people not just about the roles but the pathways available to them. We’re committed to enabling these young people to develop their personal skills and networks and to be better prepared for their first application and recruitment process."
