Laying career foundations

7:55am Tuesday 14th October 2008

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Building work in Bradford’s Centenary Square has been drawing the crowds.

And over the next few days even more sightseers are expected to take a look.

The temporary worksite is part of a three-day event being organised by the district’s social landlord Incommunities to get more women interested in building careers for themselves in the construction industry.

Invitations went to secondary schools across the district asking them to go along and get hands-on. Bricklaying, plastering and tiling were a few of the practical activities open to youngsters – mainly Year 10 and 11 students.

As well as the hands-on stations, students were able to meet up with trainers, employers and other construction professionals, including quantity surveyors and architects, to pick up tips for future job ideas.

A group of Queensbury School pupils were among the first to visit the marquee, which will stay open until the end of tomorrow.

Nicky Gill, who is a training manager for Bullocks, said; “It’s great to see so many young people getting hands-on. They are having masses of fun but are taking in lots of information at the same time.

“It’s not just about jobs in bricklaying or plastering, there are so many different types of professions and they’ve been able to get an idea of what they are all under this one roof. It’s been a brilliant opportunity.”

In the next ten years, a skills shortage has been predicted for the construction trade, making buildings and trades organisations even more aware of the need to recruit interest now from potential staff.

This three-day venture was the latest organised by propertysolutions – part of the Incommunities group – staged in association with construction partner Wates Living Space and backed by ConstructionSkills, the industry’s sector skills council.

Delroy Beverley, director of Incommunities-propertysolutions, said: “We want to show that the building trade isn’t just for boys but is equally open to girls.

“Incommunities’ approach is one that recognises there is no better way of investing in communities and young people’s development than to strengthen the hands of those who will effectively be doing the work that needs to be done in the future.”

Any mothers and daughters wanting to go along and join in workshop sessions are invited to go to Centenary Square from 4pm today and tomorrow.