Major recruitment drive targets schools to promote construction careers

A major recruitment drive by the Chartered Institute of Building is targeting UK schools in an effort to address the poor image construction suffers amongst the 14-19 age group and teachers.

The ‘Think Construction’ toolkit, containing films, presentations, case studies and games, has been set up in partnership with teachers and young people to help CIOB members structure careers advice sessions. 

It has been developed to raise awareness of the managerial career opportunities available across the sector, that are open to those without a degree, as well as graduates.

Inspiring the Future

The CIOB is also working with Inspiring the Future to provide a matchmaking service to put CIOB Members and their firms in touch with more schools.

Commenting on the new scheme, Jacqueline Balian, Commercial Director at the CIOB, said: “We are very conscious many pupils and schools are only aware of the trade level jobs in construction and that is hampering the sector’s recruitment scope. We aim to show the full range of management positions and help our members attract the new people they need. 

“Now that they have clear targets in terms of careers advice, schools are looking for people to talk to pupils about careers and CIOB Members can volunteer to do that. We are particularly keen to get our Novus Members involved where they can talk in schools about their job and what it’s like to work in construction. We are asking Members to give us just one hour of their time to inspire young people into the sector.

“We think this will also help our members develop their presentation skills and the pack gives them all the content they need to do a really engaging presentation including video clips, games, information and presentation templates.”

Think Construction is the latest in a series of initiatives from the CIOB that engage with young people, following on from the Institute’s work taking construction challenges into more than 4,000 UK schools and colleges through My Kinda Future and the development of Craft Your Future, the industry’s first Minecraft lessons.