Highways England is building bridges with the next generation of repair teams
Repair teams at M5 Oldbury swapped scaffolding and concrete repairs for the classroom in a series of special visits to help train the next generation of construction workers in building bridges.
M5 Oldbury Viaduct have worked with the Education Business Partnership, through the education service provider SIPS Education, to provide a comprehensive programme of school and site visits offering an insight into careers in the sector.
During each of the visits, youngsters have been able to find out more about getting a job in construction and develop skills that will help them when leaving school.
Since the scheme started in 2017, there have been 42 school visits covering everything from mock job interviews, advice on how to complete job applications and advice on how to get a role in the construction sector.
The scheme has also hosted 52 site visits with careers teachers, local schools, colleges and universities. Each of those attending enjoyed a tour of the site where they were able to learn more about the different careers available and pick up top-tips on how to land a job in that area.
Sally Stone, Work Related Learning Consultant for SIPS Education said, “Interaction is key for pupils, to develop their interview skills, confidence and to gain impartial career advice.
“M5 Oldbury Viaduct staff continue to support our events brilliantly and are always able to provide pupils with their realistic experience and knowledge of the construction and related services industry.”
M5 Oldbury senior manager at Highways England, Zbigniew Twarowski said: “It is great to be able to play a role in helping youngsters to decide on their career and education prospects.
“This repair scheme is both complex and unique in the challenges it presents and we’ve really enjoyed being able to show people the importance of the work and why we’re doing it. We hope to see some of the faces at Highways England in the near future working on some of our award-winning construction schemes.”
The scheme has also given 25 young people (17 years old and above) work experience site placements and employed around 20 apprentices.
