996 events involving 70,000 people -national construction week wraps up for 2002

996 EVENTS INVOLVING 70,000 PEOPLE - NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK WRAPS UP FOR 2002 Minister for Construction, Brian Wilson and CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Deputy Chairman Peter Rogerson officially closed National Construction Week for another year yesterday after addressing students in Wakefield, Yorkshire. The event capped off the construction industry's most successful National Construction Week yet - 996 events involving 70,000 people (mostly teenagers and students) happening right across Britain over the past seven days. Speaking yesterday to the 250 secondary students from the Leeds and Wakefield areas gathered at Woodkirk High School in Tingley, Peter Rogerson said: " I am delighted that National Construction Week 2002 is ending at such a great event. Encouraging young people to consider a career in construction by giving them the opportunity to hear from young professionals working in the industry is exactly the kind of activity we need more of. Thousands of young people heard the message that a construction career can be exciting, rewarding and well-paid this past week and that's a 50 per cent increase on the number involved last year. We also more than doubled the number of events held - a fantastic effort from people and businesses right across the country. But now that National Construction Week is over, we still need to work hard to promote a positive image of our industry to young people." Both Government and industry agree that the recruitment of young people is the biggest issue concerning the future of the construction industry in Britain. Over the past 10 years the construction workforce has aged with a sharp decline in the number of 16-24 year olds joining the industry and 76 per cent of employers are reporting difficulties in recruiting skilled staff. Minister for Construction Brian Wilson believes that large campaigns such as National Construction Week go a long way towards demonstrating the ever-increasing modernization and professionalism of the industry. The industry is also putting particular effort into the recruitment of young women and ethnic minorities to diversify the workforce. - ends - - .....more 996 EVENTS INVOLVING 70,000 PEOPLE - NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK WRAPS UP FOR 2002....2 For further information: Bronwen Norris Sarah Farraway CITB CITB Tel: 020 7367 9808 Tel: 020 7367 9804 Email: bronwen.norris@citb.co.uk Email: sarah.farraway@ctib.co.uk Notes to editors: 1. Photographs of students participating in various NCW 2002 events are available upon request. 2. For more information on careers in construction, your readers can contact CITB free on 0808 100 0055 (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 8.00pm and Saturday 9.00am - 6.00pm). 3. Events taking place across the country for National Construction Week ranged from activities and demonstrations to small groups of school children, to large-scale careers fairs, site visits, presentations and family days. Some of the key events that took place included: · Ground Force's Tommy Walsh hosted a family construction day in the Midlands. · 3,000 primary school students completed construction trails that explored local historic buildings throughout Wales. · Cubs and scouts throughout the South West were assisted by more than 20 local businesses to earn their DIY proficiency badges. · 150 13 and 14 year olds took a ride on the Pepsi Max Rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the North West and learnt how the rollercoaster was constructed from the engineers who built it. · School leavers, career changers and work returners were encouraged to consider a career in construction at three Festivals of Construction careers fairs in Reading, Southampton and Basingstoke in the Southern Counties. · Local school students were asked to name their 7 Wonders of the North East and Cumbria and design a possible eighth in a competition judged by local celebrities and involving the general public. · 360 Scottish students built replicas of the Stirling Castle and received training on how to defend and attack castles before doing battle with their opponent's newly constructed castles. · London students got the chance to flex their design muscles during NCW 2002, competing in competitions to design an Olympic Stadium for London, a new stadium for the Saracens Rugby Club and their own versions of the London Eye. · 30 Girl Guides in the East spent a weekend taking part in a construction activity camp that gave them a chance to drive and operate heavy machinery and transport. ncw2002close ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/11/20021011BIT00600/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/11/20021011BIT00600/wkr0002.pdf