Research shows that a young person who has four or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training. For young people, meaningful engagement with employers is key to helping them understand how what they learn or choose to study is applicable in the real world.
In 2017, we began working on site at The Box, Plymouth. Since starting the project, we have engaged with over 1,000 young people from local schools, colleges and Universities through a range of activities. Our activities are geared towards promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, through demonstrating how STEM topics apply to the world of construction.
Open Doors week
Each year, we open the gates to The Box site, enabling the general public to visit the project and experience the world of construction. The week is aimed in particular towards young people. In 2019, a group of pupils and teachers from Devonport High School for Boys and the College of Art visited us on site.
International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day 2019, a group of Year 5 girls and their teachers from St Andrews Primary School visited us on site as part of the Millfields Trust ‘Widening Horizons’ programme. During their visit, the group learnt about the project and the many opportunities the industry offers both girls and boys. We also delivered a construction challenge to the Year 5 boys at the school.
The Big Bang Fair South West
The Big Bang Fair is an annual STEM celebration aimed at school students. We supported the Construction Zone at the event in 2019, which attracted over 5,000 visitors from 96 schools from the South West region. The Construction Zone alone saw us engage with around 2,000 students, teachers and parents.
Woodlands SEN School
We worked with Woodlands School in Plymouth to install a new solardome, a flexible multi-use space that allows pupils to enjoy time outdoors even in bad weather.
We provided site clearance, foundations and assistance works and once the solardome was erected, installed new flooring and waterproofing.
Universities
We delivered site visits and talks to students in Further and Higher Education studying construction related subjects. We’ve developed good relationships with the School of Engineering at Plymouth University, facilitating 34 weeks of work experience placements to four of their students. A group of second year students are currently working on a conceptual design project based on the outside space at The Box.
“It’s been great having you just across the road. The students have benefited a lot." - John Davies, School of Engineering
