WIREDGOV

The Construction Youth Trust (CYT) is set to launch the ‘Budding Brunels’ pilot scheme and is looking for support from charitable trusts and industry bodies.

The Budding Brunels project is an opportunity to excite and inform pupils in Year 12 (aged 16-17) about the building and engineering professions.

Michael Brown deputy chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) said, “If you ask a school pupil to name a famous builder or engineer most of them would say Brunel, and yet he was born over 200 years ago. We clearly need to do more as an industry to give younger people greater understanding of the exciting opportunities in building and engineering.”

The CYT project involves weekly sessions of 1 – 2 hours held during the school term but outside school hours, although some topics will be connected within General Studies.

“It’s fantastic to see so many of London’s schoolchildren, girls and boys, taking this opportunity to discover how rewarding a career in civil engineering and construction can be.” says Jacki Bell director Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) London.

Participating students will take part in a number of activities such as trips to construction and engineering sites. There will be visits to working museums, heritage sites and university materials testing laboratories. As well as presentations on exciting projects from across the globe and classroom activities exploring building and engineering principles.

The Trust seeks support for this project from charitable trusts and industry bodies. In addition, companies will be encouraged to get involved. This may included a financial contribution towards the costs of the project, involvement with schools in their region, taking part in presentations and activities and sending representatives to accompany students on visits.

For further information please contact Mark Bennett, Construction Youth Trust on tel: 020 7227 4566 or at postal address 55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT: The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

The CIOB represents on behalf of the public the most diverse set of professionals in the construction industry.

The CIOB’s role is to:

· Promote the importance of the built environment.

· Lead the industry to create a sustainable future worldwide.

· Encourage leadership potential.

· Set the highest standards in quality, safety and qualification.

· Create an industry where excellence prospers.

Further information is available by contacting Saul Townsend CIOB press and communications manager on 01344 630 766 - stownsend@ciob.org.uk.

ABOUT: The Institution of Civil Engineers

ICE London supports and represents the 7,500 ICE members residing and working across the region. Civil engineers are at the heart of London’s infrastructure and through the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) we speak with one voice giving you access to impartial advice and informed opinions. For more information visit http://www.ice-london.org.uk

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is one of the pre-eminent engineering institutions in the world. Established as a learned society in 1818, it has 80,000 members and provides a voice for civil engineering, continuing professional development and promoting best practice throughout the industry.

ABOUT: The Construction Youth Trust (CYT)

The goal of the Construction Youth Trust is to enable young people to overcome barriers to access these opportunities. The young people we help face:

· Financial barriers

· Lack of aspiration

· Poor understanding of the construction and built environment sector

· Barriers of gender or ethnicity

The Trust achieve its goal by undertaking a number of programmes ranging from individual bursaries to construction skills courses, and from work placement schemes to guidance sessions. By helping individuals to gain training & employment the Trust's work effectively tackles social exclusion and related disadvantage.

The Trust is uniquely placed to help individuals and communities. We have wide-ranging contacts within the construction industry, including a Trustee body made up of senior figures within the sector, and expertise in working with young people and their communities.

Further information is available at www.constructionyouth.org.uk