Schoolchildren from a Kendal school gained hands-on experience on a construction site thanks to a national initiative supported by those behind the town’s flood scheme.
Students from Queen Katherine School (QKS) enjoyed the September sunshine whilst trying their hands at activities like surveying, stonemasonry and drone flying, as well as having a go on a large vehicle driving simulator.
The day was as part of the Constructing Change initiative which aims to get more young people into the construction industry, something that is backed by the Environment Agency.
The QKS children were at the Environment Agency’s Mintsfeet compound in Kendal which is part of the ongoing Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.
Speaking at the compound, Pip Kingston, the careers lead at QKS, as well as a geography and design and technology teacher at the school, spoke about the importance of opportunities such as the one the children were enjoying.
She said: “There’s so many jobs available for them, it’s important that they see that.
“That’s what my role and passion is, that they see all these different opportunities.”
Mrs Kingston continued by highlighting that initiatives such as Constructing Change give young people more scope for ideas about what they may do in the future.
The QKS teacher said she hoped that the school are invited to do more days like it.
“The more companies that can do this, the more connections we can have with local industries, it’s beneficial for everyone”, she said.
As Mrs Kingston points out, the students involved are the employees of the future.
She believes that because of this, more local businesses and companies could benefit from opening their operations for experience days such as the Constructing Change day.
Students weren’t just having a go at the more hands-on aspects of the construction industry, but earlier in the day, they were spoken to by chartered surveyors, engineers, and those in communications and engagement.
Three of the QKS students at the site were Lachlan, Herbie, and Jacob.
Jacob said: “I liked doing the construction bit but I also liked talking to the other people, seeing what kind of jobs we can do in the future”.
Whilst Lachlan noted: “Some parts of the day really did interest me so I might use that for future jobs.”
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