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Educate, Inspire and Empower

  1. Constructing Change
  2. Education Pathways & Curriculum Alignment
  3. Learning in Action Days and the Northern Ireland Curriculum

Learning in Action Days and the Northern Ireland Curriculum

At Constructing Change, our Learning in Action Days give young people the chance to step onto live construction sites, meet role models, and experience the industry firsthand. In Northern Ireland, these experiences complement the Curriculum for Northern Ireland, supporting schools to deliver rich, real-world learning opportunities that help pupils develop essential skills, confidence, and career awareness.

Supporting the Key Aims of the Curriculum

The Northern Ireland Curriculum is designed to empower young people to achieve their full potential and to make informed, responsible decisions throughout their lives. Our site visits contribute by helping pupils to become:

  • Independent Learners – Understanding how classroom learning applies to real projects.
  • Critical and Creative Thinkers – Solving problems and seeing innovative solutions in practice.
  • Effective Communicators – Building confidence through questioning, discussion, and reflection.
  • Ethical Citizens – Exploring how construction impacts communities, sustainability, and the environment.
  • Contributors to the Economy and Society – Gaining insight into future career pathways in a vital sector.

Links to Areas of Learning

Our Learning in Action Days align with the Areas of Learning across Key Stage 3 and beyond:

  • Mathematics and Numeracy – Applying concepts like scale, measurement, and data analysis on site.
  • Science and Technology – Seeing engineering, construction methods, and digital innovation in practice.
  • Learning for Life and Work (LLW) – Supporting the three key strands of Employability, Local and Global Citizenship, and Personal Development.
  • Environment and Society – Understanding how infrastructure affects communities, sustainability, and heritage.
  • Language and Literacy – Developing communication skills through dialogue, presentations, and reflective writing.

Developing Cross-Curricular Skills and Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities

Our activities naturally embed the skills at the heart of the curriculum, including:

  • Managing Information – Gathering, questioning, and using data from real-life projects.
  • Working with Others – Team-based challenges and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Being Creative – Encouraging innovative thinking in design, sustainability, and project delivery.
  • Self-Management – Building resilience and taking responsibility in real-world environments.

Preparing for the Future

Learning in Action Days are also a powerful tool to support employability skills and career education, ensuring young people in Northern Ireland:

  • Gain early awareness of apprenticeships, vocational routes, and professional careers.
  • Understand the breadth of opportunities in construction – from trades to digital, engineering, and management.
  • See the link between their school learning, personal development, and future opportunities in the workplace.

Why It Matters

Northern Ireland’s construction industry is critical to housing, transport, climate resilience, and community growth. By linking the curriculum with authentic site-based experiences, our Learning in Action Days raise aspirations, build confidence, and give pupils a clear vision of the roles they could play in shaping the future.

Constructing Change is dedicated to partnering with Northern Irish schools, local councils, and employers to deliver curriculum-aligned opportunities that inspire the next generation.