National Construction College - General - Norfolk, Girl Guides in Construction

Date: 15 Mar 2005

A group of Guides from across Norfolk were given an eye-opening insight into a career in the construction industry last Thursday when they visited the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, near King's Lynn.

The day was part of a national scheme called "Take Our Daughters To Work Day", created eleven years ago and now under the remit of Girlguiding UK, in an effort to raise awareness amongst girls and young women of the choices that are available to them in the working world.

Andy Walder, commercial manager at the National Construction College said:

"Construction is one of the largest industries in the UK, employing just over two million people. In 2003 CITB-ConstructionSkills' Skills Foresight Report showed that around 433,490 recruits will be needed in the UK between 2003 and 2007. To help meet this recruitment demand, construction needs to recruit from a more diverse range of people."

During the action-packed day the girls where given a full tour of the 450 acre site and a full safety briefing before splitting up into groups for their various challenges. The tasks included changing the wheel on a JCB, erecting mobile towers, block-paving and learning how to operate a 1800 digger loader.

Helen Green, assistant county commissioner for Girlguiding Norfolk, said:

"We try to promote awareness among girls of the diverse range of careers available to them and to give them the confidence and knowledge to find the right jobs in the future. It is about choice and feeling they have not been pressured into a career through lack of knowledge."

"Take our Daughters to Work" is about breaking down barriers into what are perceived as male-dominated areas. We were delighted to be able to come over to the National Construction College to get a real insight into the industry."

Andy Walder added:

"As the training division of CITB-ConstructionSkills, we are working closely with their Positive Image campaign to help achieve this and the long term trend shows the number of women in construction is rising gradually. However, we still need more, particularly in the trades and crafts."

"Hopefully the girls enjoyed a unique experience, discovering a whole range of different paths available to them that they may not have previously considered."

Plant instructor Shaun Catterall with 10 year old Zoe Oldman from 4th Wymondham Girl Guides operating a 180 digger loader.

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