Construction experts visit ATLP – Students from ten schools learned how the world of the future is being built – and the career opportunities it presents – at an ambitious event last month.
Held on Wednesday, 25th October at John Willmott School, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), the Careers Sector Spotlight event focused on the ‘The Built Environment’, with industry experts sharing their insights with youngsters.
The half-day event welcomed ten participating secondary and primary schools from across ATLP – John Wilmott, Coleshill, West Coventry Academy, Arthur Terry, Coton Green, William MacGregor, Mere Green, Slade, Brookvale and Osborne Primary School.
Hundreds of students who attended got the chance to hear, in-person, from four leading employers in the built environment space; Arcadis, Mott MacDonald, Wates Group and Align Architecture.
Students heard from Arcadis’ Tom Newton, who shared his uniquely ‘squiggly’ personal career journey, his claim to fame having personally hand-coloured all the digital motorway overhead signage.
Early career professionals Lois Chung and Khusy Kona told attendees that construction IS for both girls and BAME candidates, whether through the degree or apprenticeship routes.
Align Architecture’s Nick Clewer gave a fascinating talk on how the construction industry is tackling the challenge of reducing its power usage, and shared how the pioneering Hackbridge Primary School, in Wallington, uses heat pumps and solar technology to produce more energy than it uses.
Construction experts visit ATLP to speak to students
Mott MacDonald’s Jack Egan shared his infectious passion for the sector and the exciting 2024 opening of NHS Midlands Met University Hospital in Sandwell, West Birmingham which is being constructed using a significant proportion of recycled materials, with all components being 100% recyclable over the course of its lifetime.
Finally, Dale Powell and Michael Martin of Wates Group talked about overcoming the many challenges of modernising Birmingham’s historic law courts, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1887 by Queen Victoria herself.
The event was one of a series of termly Careers Sector Spotlights, which are offered to ATLP students across the partnership, who have a specific interest in that particular industry.
Event organiser, Alex Zarifeh, Trust Lead for Personal Development, Careers said: “Research consistently demonstrates that young people meeting professionals from the world of work, that look and sound like them, in the sectors that they are most interested in, is a terrific way to inspire future career exploration.
“We are very grateful for the support of the experts who gave up their time to come along and talk to students from across the ATLP schools.”
Netherstowe School, in Lichfield, is set to host the third ATLP Sector Spotlight, ‘The Creative Industries’ in February and Stockland Green School, in Erdington, a ‘Jobs of the future’ event during the summer term.