Toolkit to help young consider construction

Resource launched after members ask for help to promote industry in schools.

This month the CIOB is launching a resource pack to encourage young people (14-19) to consider construction as a first choice career.

The pack is a response to enquiries and feedback from members looking for resources to help them in their schools’ outreach work and content has been shaped by research carried out with young people to understand their perceptions of the industry as well as input from teachers and industry advisers.

The release of the kit comes at the same time as the chancellor’s announcement of plans to introduce new technical qualifications – so-called “T-levels” – promising to simplify the process of vocational training in England, and pave the way for 16-to-19-year-olds to study in sectors such as construction, making access to the job market easier.

The CIOB toolkit pack consists of:

• Guides on developing and delivering presentations to young people and tips for managing a session.
• A range of interactive activities to help members design well-structured and varied sessions that will engage with young people and keep their attention.
• Simple responses to frequently asked questions about the industry.
• Short videos with inspiring stories that showcase the interesting and rewarding professional career opportunities and experiences available in the sector.
• An online “construction challenge” game that provides interesting facts and insight into the sector.
• An Instagram channel, that young people can follow, that will curate visual and interesting elements of the sector – and ongoing content that can be used by members as well.
• A short video-log series of a student in her first year of studies in Construction Management.
• Blogs by young professionals about their experience working in the sector.
• Other existing resources members may wish to draw upon, including the CIOB’s own Minecraft lessons targeting 12-14-year-olds.

The CIOB will also offer short sessions for those interested in using the pack and a national matchmaking service where members can sign up to be contacted by local schools to go in and run short sessions (sharing their own career paths and utilising the resources).

To find out more about the resource pack contact publications@ciob.org.uk.