Employers and industry experts have been helping to spread the word about the wide range of careers available in construction.

The event at Stockton Riverside College saw visitors from the industry lead a series of workshops for pupils considering their options after leaving school.

“The aim of the event was to bring together employers from the industry and school children so that the young people can see the variety of roles that exist within construction,” said the college’s head of construction and professional services, Michael Duffey.

Through a series of talks and practical sessions, Michael explained: “We introduced the students both to the hands-on skills of the industry and also to the more technical roles, hopefully leading them to form positive views about construction and seeing the industry as a viable career route.”

Quickly becoming an annual event at Stockton Riverside College, professionals from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Turner & Townsend, Constructing Excellence in the North East, G4C and the Esh Group, met with students from Northfield School and Sports College, Rye Hills Academy and Egglescliffe School.

CIOB vice chair, Tony Bellamy, said: “In the construction industry at the moment we don’t have enough young people coming through, that is why at the CIOB we are trying to reach the 14 to 19-year-olds to let them know about construction and the variety of jobs within it.”

Having started his own career as a joiner, Tony said he worked his way up to the position of senior site manager. He says the benefit of a career in construction is the sheer variety of the work.

“Every day is different and you get the experience of working on some fantastic projects in different places, even travelling the world if you choose,” he said.

Tim Hill, a project manager with Turner & Townsend, said: “When people think of careers in construction they often think of the bricklaying and the labour side but there are also a lot of other professions involved with everything from architects to quantity surveyors and of course project managers. It is amazing how many careers are linked to the construction industry.”

Welcoming the chance to bring students along to meet with industry professionals and employers was Northfield School and Sports College’s construction teacher, Steve Smith.

He said: “It has been a thoroughly enjoyable day. The students have all enjoyed it and have taken a lot from it.

“Young people often have an idea of construction of being about bricklaying, joinery and electrics, they often don’t understand all of the other aspects that go with it which probably accounts for more than 50% of the industry.

“This event offers an idea of what the real world is and hopefully gives some ideas of what they want to do in the future.”