Teenagers in Nottingham have been getting to grips with remote controlled demolition and diamond drilling equipment as part of a national week of action to inspire the next generation of construction workers.
The Drilling And Sawing Association (DSA) in Brand Street, Nottingham welcomed teenagers from across the city as part of Open Doors, which is delivered every year by Build UK, and sees visitors taken on behind the scenes tours of live construction workplaces – from sites to warehouses, and training centres to offices.
This year was a record as over 7000 visitors attended 260-plus Open Doors tours across the UK.
It comes at a time when the construction industry needs to recruit 50,000 new workers a year until 2028 to meet demand for new housing and infrastructure – including 53,000 in the East and West Midlands alone – according to CITB’s Construction Skills Network report.
Visitors to the DSA in Nottingham were able to try their hand at demolishing concrete using a remote-controlled pedestrian operated crushing and breaking machine, as well as diamond drilling holes, while observing hand-sawing techniques.
Julie White, Chair of Build UK and Managing Director of D-Drill, spoke with visitors about different career paths into the industry and earning potential.
She said: “I left school with one GCSE and now lead a growing, nationwide construction business after joining the industry as a teen, and my message to them was clear – if you’re determined and want to challenge and develop yourself, then construction is the industry that will give you a chance to earn a great living.
“Seeing visitors’ faces light up during the interactive activities is what Open Doors is all about, and it is these types of experiences that can help to kickstart countless careers in the industry – at a time when new workers are needed now more than ever.
“The industry desperately needs to recruit to help the government meet its target to build 1.5 million new homes and develop other infrastructure – and Open Doors has a crucial role to play in helping to achieve this.”
