Key sites open to attract youngsters into construction jobs
CROSSRAIL, Stonehenge, the Nottingham tram extension and 60 other key building sites have been opened to young people this weekend in a bid to get them interested in careers in the construction industry.
Umbrella organisation the UK Contractors Group has arranged the open doors weekend at key sites around the country, targeting 11 to 24-year-olds.
UKCG director Stephen Ratcliffe said one of the key aims is to help beat a looming skills shortage. Close to half a million construction jobs were lost during the recession, which led to workers with valuable skills leaving the country to find work. Thousands more workers retired and have yet to be replaced
Ratcliffe added that he hoped the weekend would lead to more women joining the industry. He said: “We want to promote the industry to new people and dispel some of the stereotypes that have built up around it. We want to move away from the stereotypes of wolf whistles, builders bums and the like.”
UKCG hopes that the open doors weekend will show young people the full breadth and diversity of jobs available within the industry.
As part of the weekend, the site of the Old Trafford Supporters Club hotel was opened to the public. Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were on hand to guide young people and their families around the site.