Over 170 pupils from the Wakefield district took part in a wide range of hands-on construction activities as part of Give Construction a Try – giving them insight into the different career paths available within the sector.

Give Construction a Try, which was held at Castleford College on Wednesday 13th March, saw pupils enjoy 115 interactive workshops across the day in bricklaying, building information modelling, carpentry & joinery, clay tiling, electrical, plumbing, roofing surveying and more.

The event was formally opened by Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson, who spoke about why it’s such an exciting time to be a part of the construction industries and the endless opportunities it offers.

Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said:

“This is the third year we’ve hosted Give Construction a Try and it’s amazing to see so many employers and pupils from across the district taking part in the event, as well as having the Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire open the proceedings."

"By bringing together businesses, educators and industry specialists, we are able to deliver an event which gives young people a real insight into the opportunities available in the construction industry, which will hopefully inspire them to study or work in the sector in the near future.”

Pupils from Airedale Academy, Carlton High School, Castleford Academy, Crofton Academy, De Lacy Academy, Freeston Academy, Highwell, Kettlethorpe High School, Outwood Academy Freeston, The Kings School, St Thomas a Beckett, Trinity Academy Cathedral and Wood Kirk, then broke off into the sessions which were designed to give them insight into the diverse range of roles and opportunities the industry has to offer.

Mick Hill, Teacher at Outwood Academy Freeston, said:

“Our Year 9 pupils are currently choosing their subject options, so the event was the perfect chance for them to see first-hand the opportunities which are available in Construction. They really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the sections and the industry as a whole, which has given them focus and inspired them to find out more about the different roles they could have and how they can get there.”

Ethan, Year 9 Pupil from at Outwood Academy Freeston, said: “The day was really fun and I enjoyed the different sessions, especially bricklaying. Before the event, I had thought about studying construction and a career in the industry but Give Construction a Try has confirmed that I want a job in the sector.”

In addition to the headline sponsor of the event, Willmott Dixon, interactive workshops were delivered by Bell Group, Building Futures, Caddick Construction, Illingworth & Gregory, Korec Group, Morgan Sindall, Omexon, Overbury, Promoting Construction West Yorkshire Training Group, Robertson, SCP, Sigma, Smith Hire, Speedy Hire, The Civil Engineering Contractors Association/National Highways, Wakefield District Housing, Wienerberger, Willmott Dixon and Yorkshire Independent Roof Training Group.

Hollie Buckley, Senior Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, said:

“We’ve previously delivered sessions at Give Construction a Try and this year we were really keen to sponsor the event as we are committed to bringing new talent into the industry. It has been a great day - the event was really well organised and it was good to see so many pupils and their tutors getting stuck into the sessions.”

Give Construction a Try was set up to inspire young people in West Yorkshire to consider a career in construction and raise awareness of the diverse range of roles and opportunities the industry has to offer.

Darren Harmer, Director of Give Construction a Try CIC, said: “Give Construction a Try is now in its sixth year and it’s great to see how the event has evolved over the years. In addition to the more traditional career paths, this year’s event has really shone a light on the range of digital, technical and green skills roles which are available in the sector and what a future working in construction could look like. The engagement the pupils showed was also fantastic, with many of them asking lots of questions and showing a real interest in the activities.”