Over 200 female students from Neath Port Talbot and Swansea schools visit Women In Construction and the Built Environment Careers Showcase.
Top businesses from the Construction and Property industries joined forces at a new event designed to introduce new talent into the sector. Women in Construction and the Built Environment Careers Showcase, organised by local companies Morganstone, Westacres, Coastal Housing Group and Pennant Homes, was held at the Sports Academy Llandarcy.
With the sector currently suffering from an acute shortage of young people, especially female students, taking up a career in the profession. The event was designed to address this situation and over 200 local pupils were invited, through Careers Wales, to discover the opportunities open to them from professional to trade and technical careers.
Following inspirational presentations from Tonia Morgan, Director of Morganstone and Westacres and Anne-Marie Smale, Managing Director of Powell Dobson Architects, the students were invited to visit the comprehensive array of exhibitions from top businesses in the sector. All offered hands on activities to challenge and enthuse the visitors into considering a career in the industry and were enthusiastically enjoyed by all involved.
With the emphasis on interaction, Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges invited the students to build a wall, mend a leak and make their own tool box in a carpentry lesson, experiences which proved very popular. At other stands students tried their hand at building various constructions and designs – even a dress! – out of materials ranging from bamboo and elastic bands to marshmallows!
Tonia Morgan, Director of Morganstone and Westacres said:
“It has been an exciting experience to meet all the students today. Their enthusiasm and interest in finding out about a career in property and construction has been very encouraging. We hope to build on the relationships we have established at this event and continue to inspire more females to consider a future career in the amazing industry we work in.”
Ceri Daniel, Operations Manager at Pennant Homes said:
“We are thrilled to have sponsored such a fantastic event. We have been completely overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by all of the attendees and we hope that we have inspired more young women to take an interest in a career in the property industry.”
The morning session was attended by over 130 female pupils from schools across the area including, Bishopston Comprehensive, Ysgol Olchfa, Ysgol Ystalyfera, Dylan Thomas and Pentrehafod, while the afternoon session attracted over 80 from Dyffryn, Cwmtawe, Cefn Saeson and Bishop Gore schools.
As the first event of its kind in the area, the day proved inspiring not only for the pupils attending but also for the businesses. It offered a unique insight into both future careers for the students and the up and coming talent available to companies and was voted a success by all.
