Building: just the job for girls (From Mid Devon Star)

Building: just the job for girls

10:50am Saturday 29th January 2011 in News

PICTURED in the front row, from left, are: Jo Down of Cowlin Construction, Georgie Rand of Uffculme School, Beth Keitch of Cullompton Community College, and Katy Burnell of Honiton Community College.

YEAR 9 pupils from across Mid Devon attended a Women in Construction event at Exeter College last Friday.

The aim was to find out more about the many opportunities available in the construction industry.

A spokeswoman for the college said: “The event clearly demonstrated the ‘Not for Girls’ ethos sometimes associated with the industry carries no weight in the modern-day workplace.

“Exeter College construction teaching staff, existing female construction students, and successful women already working in construction showed the pupils, all girls aged 13 and 14, the broad variety of study and career options open to them.

“In a series of workshops which took place throughout the day, they were treated to taster sessions in everything from brickwork and painting and decorating to professional careers such as surveying, and basic design principles.

“They were also given a tour of Exeter College’s construction facilities at the faculty’s Sowton-based skills training centre – recently revamped thanks to a £1m expansion.

“It is now hoped that, as a result of the enjoyable experience, some of the girls may feel inspired to take up a construction course at Exeter College with a view to then entering directly into employment in the building trade or going on to university.”

The event was organised for the ninth year by Kathy Snow, partnership advisor for the Devon Education Business Partnership.