News: CoTrain and CLOCS provide a world of work experience for teenagers

19 May 2022

SECBE programmes collaborate to provide a world of work experience for teenagers on Mace project The Cube, in Paddington.

CoTrain and CLOCS buddied-up with shared stakeholders and education support charity Yes Futures, to host 20 students from Marylebone Boys School on Mace project, The Cube in Paddington to showcase a range of careers opportunities in the built environment.

Highlighting construction as a job for life, the future of careers in construction and apprenticeships as a route to industry for all levels, CoTrain introduced some of the better-known trade occupations visible on this Mace site, and also the Project Director, Crane Operator, Engineer, Traffic Management, Community Safety and Security teams.

Facilitated by Ruth Trant, Director of SHEQ for DSG Logistics looking after this site for Mace (both CLOCS Champions) who was joined by John Kennedy, project director at Mace who introduced his scheme; and also shared with us his own career trajectory and passion for his work.

Michael Barratt from Transport for London hosted a design and build workshop encouraging the students to think about how construction vehicle movements impact on the environment and the safety aspects around protecting the community, disability caused by works, as well as the value of the public-facing staff such as traffic marshals and gate teams. 

The excited students were given a tour around the site, which was much enjoyed, especially seeing the crane driver in action and demonstrations from the traffic management team, before going back up to the induction room for a speed networking session with some of the professional people working on The Cube. Our professionals spent just five minutes with each of the groups, before being moved on to the next. The students had to quickly ask lots of questions about that person and their job.

Yes Futures programme lead, Alex Cheetham commented “this is the first time we have been invited to attend a construction project with students to experience the world of work. It was an eye-opener for us too. The students had an amazing day out and we can’t thank everyone enough. The students walk past this every day and now know what goes on beyond the fencing.”

A big thanks to Ruth and Michael for their hard work in helping to make this day happen. Thank you to John Kennedy for letting us hi-jack your induction room for the day. A huge thanks for FIS members and GoConstruct (CITB) for their kind donations for goody bags to send the students home with and an even bigger thank you to SECBE for buying the pizza!