“This year was all about momentum after last year highlighting the importance in working together to increase the workforce in the construction industry.
“A lot of hard work has gone on and events like Foundations showcases the power of collaboration and the hard work the industry is doing together to showcase the wealth of opportunity in the construction industry.” – Dave Blades, Director, Hobson & Porter
Foundations is our unique initiative to create a sustainable workforce for the construction industry – educating, developing and upskilling the next generation in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Since 2016 we’ve worked with local communities to engage with students of all ages, introducing them to the wealth of career opportunities available across the industry and the skills, qualifications and personal qualities required to succeed in our exciting and growing sector.
This culminates every year with Foundations Live, the region’s biggest co-located construction trade and careers event, which takes place at Bishop Burton College.
This year’s event received widespread praise as over 70 exhibitors, hundreds of visitors, including 16 schools and colleges attended. They were given the chance to speak to those in the know and also try their hand at working a digger and bricklaying.
Mark Millar from TV’s DIY SOS attended this year. He said: “It’s even better than last year, with more floor space and more contributors.
“Foundations has brought together all the different trades under one roof and all the contributors want to give visitors a chance and that is what it is all about.”
Among the schools looking around was Craven Primary Academy in Hull. Pupils spoke of how they want to work in the construction industry now.
Teacher Carole Carmichael said: “We came here to show the children other things they can aspire to. I think it’s really good. They were finding out about building and construction and fingers crossed we’ll have a few construction workers of the future.”
Foundations Live is just one part of the hard work that has gone on in the last 12 months. Among the other highlights have included:
• A collaboration with All Saints’ Federation in Hessle which has seen pupils visiting the sites during construction of the Aura Innovation Centre and Yorkare Hessle Care Home and going into the school to inspire and educate about construction. The school also created hoardings for the construction site.
• Our continued successful partnership with Hull College’s construction department, providing work experience, hosting events, establishing industry contacts to provide materials and engage students in a variety of construction projects. We also supported the Hull College first team in the first Hull Street Race.
• Team up with Australian company BucketBarrow to showcase its wheelbarrow innovation at Hull and Bishop Burton Colleges.
• Worked with children from Hornsea Nursery who built a model of Flamborough Lighthouse using recycled materials as part of the Honor Goodsite Big Build Competition.
• We’ve worked with young people in Hornsea from nursery through to secondary school to create amazing hoardings for our construction site at East Riding Leisure Hornsea.
• Teaming up with Ibstock Brick to support students at Bishop Burton College and giving them the foundations for a career in construction.
• We sponsor the Guild of Bricklayers Yorkshire Section Brickwork Competition for both junior and senior competitors.
