Morgan Sindall Construction inspires next generation of construction workers in Cambridge

Morgan Sindall Construction is helping to inspire young people in Cambridge to pursue a career in the built environment.

The company has joined forces with the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) and local charity R70L to ‘adopt’ Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST), as part of a drive to boost construction skills in the region.

The joint venture is part of the Class of Your Own ‘Adopt a School’ programme, which will provide funding for a Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) teacher to train a class of students at the college in the skills and knowledge needed for a career in construction.

In total 26 students have enrolled onto the DEC course, which will provide them with a Level 1 to 3 qualification in the built environment.

The partners will work closely with teachers at the college to link in with the school curriculum and will invite students to take part in a series of engagement activities, including visits to live construction sites.

Colin Bashford, director of science and technology at CAST, said: “The support of Morgan Sindall Construction, CFCI and R70L has provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to undertake applied learning for technical roles in the construction industry, which we hope will provide them with the solid foundations and awareness of what they can expect from a career in the built environment sector.
“Having access to a major contractor like Morgan Sindall Construction is invaluable for our students and we hope that the real-life experiences this programme provides will help to inspire them on the variety of opportunities and rewarding career paths on offer in the construction industry.”

Helen Clements, social value manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, has been working closely with the teachers at CAST to raise the profile and perception of the construction industry with students.
Helen said: “The Adopt a School initiative helps to encourage greater collaboration and engagement between the construction industry and young people, which is something that Morgan Sindall Construction is extremely passionate about.
“Together with our partners, we’re looking forward to sponsoring CAST over the course of the next two academic years and ultimately help to make students feel inspired and informed about the construction industry and the variety of opportunities this sector can open up to them.”

The sponsorship of CAST is Morgan Sindall Construction’s second Class of Your Own adoption in the East of England. The company has also been working closely with Alde Valley Academy in Leiston, Suffolk, over the last 18 months.

Elsewhere in the region, Morgan Sindall Construction has recruited seven new apprentices to its Eastern Counties and Cambridge offices. The new starters are pursuing careers in marketing, quantity surveying, and site management.

The business has a vibrant engagement programme, with strong links in place with colleges, universities, training organisations and schools. Three of the seven new recruits applied for their apprenticeships after completing a programme of work experience with Morgan Sindall Construction during Year 11 and 12.

Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Tackling the construction skills gap is the most pressing challenge facing our industry and Morgan Sindall Construction is a long term supporter of initiatives across the region that are helping to address the issue.
“We’re incredibly excited about this latest venture with CFCI and R70L, which signifies the beginning of an exciting new partnership. We hope the programme will help to educate CAST students about the construction sector and the opportunities it can offer them, as well as creating a qualified, sustainable talent pool of local industry professionals for the future.”

• For more information about this news release please contact Steph Bocking at Influential on 0151 239 5000 or email [email protected].