PRESS RELEASE: Festival of Construction Careers Event for UK Pupils

• The Festival of Construction is a nationwide careers event to celebrate and challenge future generations to meet the COP26 climate change targets
• Free virtual 5-day event, featuring speakers from construction companies, sustainability specialists, product innovators, academia, the UN and NASA
• Additional breakout groups include CV writing, confidence building, student panels and a one-day sustainability innovation challenge for schools

From 10-14th May, schools across the UK are invited to join the Festival of Construction virtual careers event. Themed around the COP26 climate change agenda, the Festival of Construction will also offer students to share their perceptions of construction and sustainability during the November COP26 event in Glasgow.

Specifically for students aged 13+, the Festival of Construction will showcase dozens of current and future careers in construction and the built environment. The construction industry is worth more than ￡110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of GDP. The construction sector employs almost 3 million people, and delivering the UK’s green agenda while supporting the post-COVID recovery will require an ambitious and innovative workforce.

Alongside the key speakers, Festival breakout sessions will cover CV writing, T-levels and Apprenticeships, graduate programmes, confidence building, and offer challenges and classroom activities. Panels of students and new construction starters will be sharing their experiences and perceptions of the construction industry. There is also a ‘marketplace’ for educators to connect with speakers and construction employers to share insights, download content and post opportunities to support students

Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, CEO of Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS) and organiser of the Festival of Construction, said, “BESS exists to connect the construction industry directly with education and promote a better built environment. Based on our previous virtual events, we anticipate over 500 students attending across the week, and we would love local construction businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and local councillors to join us at the Festival to promote a regional focus for students”

Tickets for the Festival of Construction are available for booking through Eventbrite (link below). Industry representatives are welcome to join the event, but ticket priority will be given to teachers and students.

Find out more about the COP26 agenda here: