The Construction Design Centre, based on Kier Sheffield’s site, gives young people access to some of the leading names in the city’s construction industry.
The centre offers on and off site vocational training to students aged 14-19 studying for a Construction qualification including the Young Apprenticeship, a BTEC or the new Construction and Built Environment Diploma. The workshops are kitted out to provide training in bricklaying, joinery, painting and decorating, design and IT. (This supports Step 4- Specialist facilities.) The tutors are skilled tradesmen from within the construction industry, some with over 30 years of experience. (This supports Step 4- Experienced teachers.)
Learning at the centre enables students to develop a clear understanding of the industry, working in a professional environment alongside experts in the field. The Construction Design Centre also facilitates work experience for its students, placing them with employer partners to carry out low risk, but real jobs. (This supports the 6 Steps to Change Manifesto- Work Experience.)
Centre manager, Jayne Wright, has a great deal of experience working with young people, specifically in learner engagement and retention. She has travelled to Holland and Belgium to find examples of best practice in this field and is now transferring her knowledge and experience to the school programmes at the Construction Design Centre.
Jayne finds her involvement with the centre incredibly rewarding, as she explains: “The centre benefits young people in so many ways; it helps to raise their aspirations and to develop a sense of responsibility. Everyone here is equal, so the students learn to get along with those from other schools and I have seen many barriers broken down.
“Some students have made me feel particularly proud, in particular young people that have really serious issues at school with their behaviour and attendance. At the centre, their attendance has been 100% and I can honestly say they are star pupils.”
Andy Biggin is the training officer for Kier Sheffield and he explains why Kier has taken a dedicated approach to its involvement with the centre: “The centre is an academy for gifted and talented young people who want a career within the construction industry. As a company we have a duty to these young people to help them make informed choices and to show them exactly what the industry involves and what it takes to be a part of it.
“This also provides Kier Sheffield with a potential workforce trained to our own high standards; a talent pool ready for us to tap in to.”