Educate, Inspire and Empower
Environment Agency working with Constructing Change to Showcase Careers across the Constructing Industry at Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme
- Environment Agency working with contactors and schools to provide work experience opportunities.
- Constructing Change – Learning in Action day in Kendal highlights career opportunities in construction and environmental work
- New work experience package promoted by the team delivering Kendal Flood Scheme
- New virtual work experience provides new opportunities for local young people to get into engineering and environmental careers
The Environment Agency and contractor teams working on the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme are working with local school to provide a new way of gaining work experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics).
Last week 50 Year 9 students from Kirkby Kendal and Queen Katherine schools in Kendal and Queen Elizabeth School Kirkby Lonsdale, attended a Constructing Change – Learning in Action event providing insight into the career opportunities in the construction industry and Environment Agency. Constructing Change – Learning in Action is about the whole construction sector coming together and the event included contractors VolkerStevin, Waitings, Jacobs and Flannery Plant Hire who showcased the different aspects of the industry, used in the building of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.
The day included a career fair at VolkerStevins’ compound in Kendal, a tour of flood defence work in the town and an interactive construction session at Mintsfeet.
The team delivering the Kendal flood scheme is encouraging local young people to get involved. Alongside the Constructing Change – Learning in Action day, a new virtual work experience package has been developed the Environment Agency.
Constructing Change – Learning in Action is a new social value initiative which supports the future generation of construction workers, working with 13-16 year old students. It aims to provide local female students with an experience of the construction industry and insight into what career opportunities the industry has to offer.
The Kendal Flood Scheme already provides work placements for local apprentice as well as employing local people. Now a new scheme, Springpod – Environment Agency Work Experience, provides an opportunity for young people to gain a certificate and six months work experience.
The new Environment Agency programme is open to students age 13-plus and provides over 6 hours of worth of content and when completed students receive a certificate.
This Virtual Work Experience programme includes engaging content designed to introduce students to the Environment Agency’s flood and coastal risk management responsibilities, and career pathways.
Queen Katherine School’s Careers Lead, Geography and Design Technology teacher, Pip Kingston said:
“The Constructing Change day has been a great event for the students, breaking stereotypes and showing any one, not just boys can work in construction. I has highlighted the different roles in construction and the Environment Agency.
“The day has been important as it has showed the essential skills and jobs available, such as project manager. It has opened the students eyes to careers available and will help them make informed decisions and be happy in what careers they choose to follow.
CEO and Founder of Constructing Change – Learning in Action, Elizabeth Griffin-Bennett said:
“Through collaboration across the sector, we are bringing young people to live sites, showcasing career opportunities, breaking barriers, and embedding social value.
“This is just the beginning of a movement to build a more diverse, skilled, and resilient future for the industry.”
Contractor, VolkerStevins Senior Project Manager, Richard Birchall said:
“The young people who attended the Constructing Change day are the future of our industry. It was heartwarming and encouraging to see them so engaged in the activities provided, and the possibilities open to them for careers in the industry.
“Working together with the schools is a great opportunity to inspire their students to go into a career in construction. It is an industry open to all and providing great career opportunities.”
Jacobs, Contractor, Director of Operations Water & Environment, Mark Shepard, said:
“As a corporate member of the Constructing Change initiative, it was fabulous to be able to showcase the part Jacobs had played in the design of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme and to talk directly with local students about career opportunities in the sector. We hope this will inspire the next generation to see the potential of a career in engineering and construction and hope they enjoyed the day as much as we did”.
Environment Agency’s area flood risk manager for Cumbria and Lancashire, Richard Knight:
“This is a great opportunity for young people in the Kendal area to find out more about a career with the Environment Agency.
“We were delighted all three secondary schools in Kendal were able to take part in the event, and we hope more will take up the opportunity of learning more about careers with the Environment Agency through the new portal on our Flood Hub.”
“There are so many different opportunities from engineering to water management. This programme will provide young people with knowledge and also proof of their work experience for their university, apprenticeship and job applications.”
The Virtual Work Experience programme is available now. Full details and sign up are available on the Kendal flood scheme is available on the flood hub www.thefloodhub.co.uk/kendal/
Categories: Press Releases