West Nottinghamshire College welcomed around 150 Year 10 pupils from across the region to its construction campus in Kirkby-in-Ashfield for an engaging and hands-on ‘Get into Construction’ event.
Quarrydale's Jacob Czarnecki, Alfie Coupe & Liam Naylor and teacher Robert Hardwick on electrical sockets.
The event was designed to inspire young people as they begin to consider their future careers, offering a valuable insight into the wide-ranging opportunities available within the construction industry.
Careers advice in the construction industry was offered to all.
Ten schools took part in the day, including All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy, David Nieper Academy, Nottingham Free School, Park Vale Academy, Quarrydale Academy, Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, Selston High School, The Bolsover School, The Brunts Academy and Yeoman Park Academy.
The art of bridgebuilding was explained by Tomlinson staff.
Throughout the day, pupils swapped their usual lessons for interactive workshops, working alongside college staff, student ambassadors and industry professionals to try out a variety of practical construction tasks.
A plaster moulding workshop was delivered by Jamie Higgins from the college's construction curriculum.
A range of leading construction companies supported the event, delivering activities designed to challenge students’ teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills.
Alpha Construction Ltd, led by operations director Robin Denton, tasked groups with building tetrahedrons, encouraging collaboration and structural thinking. Balfour Beatty’s social impact advisor Michelle Mann and apprentice quantity surveyor Emily Pritchard set a bridge-building challenge using straws, testing pupils’ maths and engineering abilities.
Alpha Construction's operations manager Robin Denton showed groups the art of tetrahedron building.
Bowmer and Kirkland invited students to design and build a model school, while Drury Joinery Services brought along a roof rig to demonstrate the structure of a house roof. GF Tomlinson delivered a door-hanging exercise, giving pupils a chance to get hands-on while also offering careers advice.
B&K Solutions' Alex Brock led the session on buildingt a small scale school.
Outside, Lindum Group introduced a surveying activity using a theodolite, while Tilbury Douglas representatives Muskam Bains and Matthew Oldroyd explained the role of quantity surveying, using real plans from the recently developed Blossomwood Unit in Sutton-in-Ashfield to illustrate the process behind major construction projects.
Lindum Management were on hand to show how a theodolite works during site management.
Via East Midlands Ltd also spoke to pupils about the wide range of careers available within highways, from surveying and construction to crossing patrol services.
Via staff explained to schools their role on the highways.
In addition, students took part in a variety of activities led by the college’s own departments. These included plastering sessions with tutor Jamie Higgins, painting and decorating exercises focused on colour wheels and techniques, and electrical tasks where pupils assembled plug sockets on a radial circuit.
Queen Elizabeth Academy's Freya Roome & Harry Mitchell create a colour wheel in the decorating activity.
Plumbing workshops challenged groups to build pipe systems and test them for leaks, while in the carpentry workshop pupils created small bird boxes with support from current students.
Bradley Vincent and Ethan Ashmore try pipe connecting using plumbing techniques.
The event highlighted the breadth of pathways available within construction, from traditional trades to technical and professional roles, and gave pupils the opportunity to speak directly with industry experts about their future options.
Birdboxes were made in the joinery workshop.
Design and technology technician from Queen Elizabeth’s Academy Dean Crutchley said: ““This is the second year I’ve attended, and it’s hugely beneficial for our students, especially those who thrive in a hands-on environment. It gives them the chance to try a range of construction skills and explore potential career paths.
“In a short time, they’ve already been designing, building, and learning practical techniques they can take back into school. For our Year 10s, it’s also a great break from exam pressure, and it can really inspire them, because sometimes you don’t know what you want to do until you try it.”
Contrast paintwork by Nehemiah Sheaspy and Toby Lindie coached by student Chloe Coxon.
Head of department for construction and building services Andrew Whyley said: “This was another brilliant and successful event designed for children who will soon be considering their future studies. It was great to see so many of the children getting stuck into the tasks and activities that the college and our visiting businesses had set up. There were some very naturally-gifted individuals who will clearly be well-suited to vocational, hands-on job roles in the future.
“We really enjoyed speaking to both teachers and pupils about the range of studies we have at the college’s construction campuses and we hope that this activity day helped to open their minds to the diverse and rewarding careers within the sector, while helping them make informed decisions about the next steps after school.”
Quarrydale Academy pupils get stuck in to building a school using plans.