Working to attract the brightest and the best into Welsh Construction
Students at Pontypridd High School heard about the breadth of career opportunities in construction when we led some hands-on workshops.
With recent projections* forecasting more than 19,000 new construction jobs for Wales, we are keen to inspire young people to consider careers within the construction industry – and this visit was part of our ongoing World of Work programme.
Thirty Year 9 pupils got to grips with planning and creating their own building project during the visit and they were also given an illustrated talk about construction and the built environment.
The World of Work programme sees us engage with schools and colleges across all the regions in which we operate, to promote construction as a savvy career option.
The Pontypridd High School Youngsters completed a number of practical tasks over the course of the day, to a strict budget, which encouraged team building, good communication and problem solving skills – all vital in a working environment.
Antonia John, Community Engagement Manager for Morganstone, said: “The day was a great success and it was pleasing to see the individual teams form all-important partnerships, working together to complete the tasks in hand.
“It was encouraging to hear the young people’s enthusiasm for construction. Industry and construction in Wales is going through a real golden period at the moment, so we need to attract the best and the brightest into the fold.
“Construction in Wales in predicted to grow by 6.2 percent, compared to 1.7 percent across the wider UK, with the Welsh Government targeting 20,000 affordable homes by 2020.
“In order to help fulfill these ambitious targets we need to recruit far more young people from across Wales into all of the roles associated with construction; including craft, technical and professional and management positions.
“I know it can be difficult for young people to envisage their futures and what a particular job will actually entail, day-to-day, so this was a great opportunity to give them some meaningful insight.”
Heather Young, Academic Registrar from Pontypridd High School, said: “We are delighted to have been part of Morganstone’s most recent World of Work event and I’m grateful to them for taking time out of their schedule to visit us.
“Initiatives like these help give our young people a taste of the working world and its different environments, expectations and rewards, so it is something we wholeheartedly encourage our pupils to take part in.
“It can be difficult for young people to identify the educational and training paths they need to take in order to create a career for themselves, and Morganstone was able to advise on this area too, which was very useful.”