Construction Careers Event a Success

​An event showcasing the variety of careers available in the construction industry was recently held in the Orkney Auction Mart.

​Organised by Orkney Construction Training Group (OCTG) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Construction Careers Event was developed to showcase the different trades available, highlighting the variety of skills that are needed across the industry.

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Over 400 S3 and S4 pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy were taken to the event, where they had a chance to ‘have a go’ at some of the trades.  There were nine stations dedicated to different areas of the industry including joinery, painting and decorating, civil engineering and quantity surveying and, road works.  There was also a chance to see some heavy plant machinery and learn more about apprenticeships.

Some of the activities pupils could try out included bricklaying, taping and filling and wiring a light switch.  There was also a chance to try out operating a crane and a road digger.

Over 13 employers within the construction industry supported the event, along with UHI Orkney and Jacqueline Argo, the CITB Apprenticeship Officer in Orkney.

Employers were on hand to speak to attendees, answering their questions about working in the construction industry.  They also explained how to undertake the activities on offer and provided advice and support to attendees while they tried their hand at some of the activities.

After the schools had attended, the event stayed open until 6pm, giving older school pupils and members of the public the opportunity to visit the event as well.

Thank you to the Orkney Construction Training Group for organising the event, and to CITB, UHI Orkney and all the employers to coming along.

Some photos from the event can be found below.