National Construction Week 2008
Over 500 students from schools and colleges in Lincolnshire have been given a taste of the exciting and varied career options in the construction industry during National Construction Week 2008.
Although National Construction Week took place during 14th – 16th October 2008, the events kicked off in style with The Rapid Response Challenge on The Lincolnshire Showground on 18th September 2008. The Rapid response challenge saw Year 13 Students from 6th Forms and Colleges throughout the County battling it out in a series of gruelling events based on the scenario of the aftermath of a natural disaster.
The day, funded by Aimhigher and run by The Lincolnshire & Rutland Education Business Partnership (EBP) and The Lincoln Group Training Association (LGTA) began with a briefing in the fantastic surroundings of The EPIC Centre, a building of environmental innovation that aims to explore low carbon technologies.
The teams of students from Skegness Grammar School, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, North Kesteven School, North Hykeham and King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth then continued to plan and present their strategies to deliver humanitarian aid to the people affected by the disaster to a panel of representatives from Lindum Construction and Ringway.
The challenge gave students a rare insight into the technical careers available in the construction industry, such as quantity surveying and estimating. The day concluded with King Edward IV Grammar School, Louth being announced as the challenge winners.
Following the great success of The Rapid Response Challenge, National Construction Week moved to Whisby Nature Park, Thorpe on the Hill, near Lincoln for a three day event from the 14th to the 16th October once again run by The EBP and The LGTA. This gave Year 8 and Year 10 students from schools in Lincoln and Gainsborough the opportunity to test their skills in bricklaying, painting & decorating, recycling, solar energy generation, plumbing and archeological surveying, giving them an broad overview of the variety of careers available to them within the construction industry. Students wishing to persue a career in the industry were also able to seek helpul tips and career advice from qualified the tradespeople who were on site assisting with the challenges.
