Young people's jobs boost

Latest news in Yorkshire: July 28, 2017 08:52:05 AM


Young people in Barnsley are learning more about the construction industry to help them get ready for work.


Two key initiatives, ‘ Building My Skills’ and ‘Get Into STEM’ help young people learn more about working in different industries.


More than 200 year ten students from Kirk Balk Academy are building their skills with industry professionals.


Barnsley College students met site agents at the junction 36 development site at Birdwell to help them with their projects.


The schemes are thanks to a new skills partnership between Barnsley Council and Esh Construction.


Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “This partnership has inspired hundreds of young people to think about a career in the construction industry. It has provided much-needed work experience. We’re always looking for new ways to work with businesses and this is a great opportunity to support the current and future industry.”


John Bamford, a student tutor, said: “This type of experience is invaluable for our students. Especially when you consider that few of them have experience in civil engineering.”


‘Get Into STEM’ is aimed at primary schools. It introduces children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics linked to construction.


Over 50 children from Hoyland Common Primary school visited the construction site at Birdwell to learn about site safety.


Rebecca Shaw, Added Value Coordinator at Esh, said: “It’s important to educate young people about the range of careers in the construction industry.


"We aim to open the doors to the workplace for young people, raising their aspirations and making sure they have the right approach to secure that all-important first job.


“Get Into STEM is just one of Esh’s responses to a skills shortage across the engineering and construction sectors, and aims to shape career aspirations positively.”


Lumsden and Carroll, part of the Esh Construction group, is delivering the current road improvements at Birdwell. The work includes new roundabouts and a new link road to enable future development.

Yorkshire Photography


[catlist name=Latest News]