It's good that times are changing and young people are now exposed to a much wider choice before making life-changing decisions about how their education and career might progress.
To try and get construction and its myriad of professions added to the list of potential options, I recently arranged an event in association with my old school, Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School. The aim was to get together former students who were now working in construction with those who might be interesting in doing so.
Around 15 former students attended along with 7 current students ranging from years 10 to 13. After Development Director of BRGS, Emma Gauntlett kindly introduced me with a tale of my dramatic school performance in the Crucible (20 years ago), I handed proceedings over to John Boys who left BRGS in 1978 and is now a director of B&E Boys based in Waterfoot. John recounted his fascinating progression from sweeper-upper in the family building business to where he is today and it certainly gave the students food for thought. John said how his father had drummed into him that "the world's your oyster" and that's what had driven him to succeed.
John Boys talks to former pupil Phillip Hodson
Next to take to the floor was Gary Seed, a director of SBS Architects in Manchester. Gary had been heavily involved with the design of the Eco Station at Accrington Railway Station and gave a great insight into the thought processes and skills required to bring the project to fruition. Gary stressed the importance of sustainability underpinning the whole design process rather than being factored in as an afterthought.
I then opened the floor to questions and what followed what a lively debate about the vast array of construction careers and where they can take you. The students were interested to hear that those of us working in construction had travelled to Africa, America, Europe and the Far East with our careers and I think this is a point often overlooked when considering a career.
We also covered the importance of social media for building a personal brand and discussions on job security prompted some wise words from those who had their own businesses.
It was useful to get feedback from the students who were considering careers in civil engineering and architecture and they were able to talk to people who were actually doing the job they wanted.
Architects of the future Danielle Johns and Courtnay Ives
One student, Sam Wardle, had travelled back from Sheffield University to attend the event and afterwards sent the following email:
I enjoyed the discussion after about where a Civil Engineering career can go, and am really impressed that you can travel the world so much! The evening cemented the idea that Civil Engineering is the correct course and career path for me, as the evening confirmed to me the varied tasks and jobs you can work on.
It was great to hear that the evening had a positive effect although I'm not sure we convinced them on the benefits of becoming a quantity surveyor.
The evening was closed by an address from BRGS head, Marc Morris who talked of the importance of giving a wide variety of career options to students and updated the former students on the development of the school.
Glovers director, Brian Mason, demonstrates how to use a scale rule
Civil Engineers of the past meet the future
My thanks go to Angela Wardle and Emma Gauntlett of BRGS for helping arrange this event and to all the former students who kindly gave their time to come and meet and talk with the students.
