More than 900 students from 45 Hampshire secondary schools took part in an industry-led event designed to showcase construction careers and inspire the next generation of workers.
Organised by Hampshire Construction Training Association (HCTA), i-Construct 2026 took place at the Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and Centre of Excellence for Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST), part of South Hampshire College Group. Morgan Sindall Construction was the headline sponsor.
The event brought together students in years 7-11, alongside young people aged 16 and over from colleges and alternative provision organisations, including The King’s Trust, as part of HCTA’s efforts to tackle the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Students worked in teams to explore the roles and career pathways involved in delivering a fictitious construction project. Each team interviewed a leading company, researched its contribution to the project and learned about the responsibilities and career routes of the people they met. They then presented their findings in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch to a judging panel.
Winning teams will be invited to an awards evening at Solent University on 13 January 2027, accompanied by their parents and guardians.
Alongside the project, students experienced a range of practical activities and technologies, including simulators, remote-controlled plant, virtual reality headsets, drones and hands-on sessions in bricklaying, carpentry and drylining.
The Tech+Tour also offered opportunities to explore the industry, while further education providers helped students consider their next steps.
The event was supported by dozens of industry partners, from major contractors and specialist subcontractors to consultants, training providers and professional institutions.
‘An overlooked sector’
Susan Dee, social value manager for Morgan Sindall Construction in the south and HCTA committee member, said: “The construction sector can offer a wide variety of rewarding career options, but it’s often overlooked by young people, even though the sector is in desperate need of more young talent to ensure it has the people and skills to grow.
“This is why it’s so important that we introduce young people to this world and give them the knowledge they need to take their first steps into the industry.”
Jason Woodward, SHEQ manager at P T Contractors and HCTA committee member, said the event aimed to help young people discover opportunities they might not previously have considered. “Every student who attends has the opportunity to meet employers, ask questions, challenge perceptions, and discover career pathways they may never previously have considered,” he said.
Anoushka Ottley, executive director of business and civic partnerships at South Hampshire College Group, said the event demonstrated the value of collaboration between education and industry in developing the future workforce.
Feedback from the event was encouraging, with 92% of the 612 students who responded saying they were now considering a career in construction or wanted to find out more about one.
