PUPILS in Motherwell have been given the opportunity to experience the construction sector first-hand through a tailored careers event organised by Clark Contracts.
The Build Your Future event came in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce and North Lanarkshire Council, and was hosted on Clark Contracts’ live site at the former Motherwell Town Hall.
The company is currently carrying out a major refurbishment of the Grade C listed building to create 20 modern, affordable homes for North Lanarkshire Council.
Forty pupils from Taylor High School and Bellshill Academy took part in the event, beginning with a health and safety induction delivered by the Clark Contracts project team. The students were then given the opportunity to learn about a range of trades on site, and observed live demonstrations of slating, stonework, joinery and leadwork, a specialist trade central to the restoration of the historic Town Hall.
Michael Scanlan, director at Clark Contracts, said, “It is fantastic to have been able to support the development of local school pupils by giving them hands-on construction experience on our site. We are committed to nurturing young talent in the industry and hope that this event will inspire more students to consider a career in construction.”
Councillor Michael McPake, housing convener at North Lanarkshire Council, added, “Developing the Young Workforce created ‘Build Your Future’ which explores careers within the built environment. Aimed at young people in secondary school, S1-S3, the project, co-developed by employers and educators, aims to inform and inspire young people to consider and explore careers in the construction industry.
“It was fantastic to see one of our existing housing developments being used to give the next generation of the workforce a taste of the skills required to embark on a career in the building industry. Overall, the day was a great success, and I hope more contractors offer similar opportunities inspiring young people to follow a career into construction.”
