Wates Construction is inviting local people to pay a visit to its Briardene Walk construction site in Cardiff as part of Open Doors Week (Monday 16 – Saturday 21 March), in a bid to encourage more people to consider a career in the construction industry.
With 179,000 additional jobs expected in the UK’s construction sector by 2021, the scheme intends to inspire people to choose a career in construction; regardless of whether they’re school leavers, graduates or career changers and returners.
Briardene Walk is one of over a dozen sites that Wates will be opening its doors to and welcoming visitors into over the course of the week. The event will take place on 18th March, starting at 6pm and is open to all members of the general public. Visitors will be given an induction presentation on the history of the site, the project and the project delivery team.
Sophie Paterson, Community Investment Advisor at Wates Construction, said: “With the skills shortage now a very real problem within construction, it’s essential that we attract the very best talent to ensure that we continue to improve as a sector and bring in the next generation of workers to the built environment.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about what working in construction is actually like and getting people on-site is one of the best ways we can help dispel some of those myths and breakdown long-held assumptions. Whether it’s helping them reimagine what a typical construction worker might look like, or showing them how new technology has changed how we work in the past few years, we want to showcase how rewarding it can be to work in this industry.
“Our Building Futures Programme is one of the many ways we look to recruit the very best people – attracting over 1,500 participants to date, with 54% moving into employment or further training.
“As an employer, we know that people are at the heart of any business which is why we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, which has the development, safety and wellbeing of our people at the fore.”
Open Doors Week is a national campaign that works to inspire young people and career changers to explore the construction sector by inviting them ‘behind the scenes’ at live sites, meet people working there and to learn more about the opportunities for career progression.
