CIOB helps members visit schools to promote construction careers

Britain’s schools are being targeted in a major new recruitment drive by the Chartered Institute of Building which aims to address the poor image construction still suffers among pupils in the 14 – 19 age group and their teachers. 

The just-launched ‘Think Construction’ toolkit from the CIOB has been developed in partnership with teachers and young people to help CIOB members structure careers advice sessions. 

The kit contains film, presentations, case studies, games and content to describe the many managerial career opportunities on offer across the sector that are open to those without a degree, as well as graduates.  

To help put schools and CIOB Members and their firms in touch with each other, the CIOB is working with Inspiring the Future to provide a match-making service which facilitates introductions.  

Jacqueline Balian, Commercial Director at the Chartered Institute of Building 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.”

She added: “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. It follows 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. 

You can access further information about the toolkit and access the resources by clicking here.