Wates and Construction Youth Trust have joined forces for a three-day course aimed at young people interested in a construction-related career.

The companies welcomed 28 young people aged 16-18 who were at risk of not being in education, employment or training.

The course was delivered by Wates experts including surveyors, engineers, designers, project directors and bid managers.

It aims to ensure the young people of Southwark benefit directly from the job, skills and career development opportunities created by the regeneration of their local area, now and in the future, within the construction and built environment industry.

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Norma Odain-Hines, Community Investment Adviser for Wates Construction, said: "We're passionate about helping young people to consider construction as a future career.

"This has been a great opportunity for students to develop their confidence and learn. They got involved in a mock project, as well as being wowed by our expert who demonstrated how we use new technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM)."

The course was funded by the Shaping Southwark's Future partnership (formed of British Land Plc, United St Saviour's Charity, Southwark Construction Skills Centre and Construction Youth Trust).

On this programme, Wates has offered six students week-long work placements, shadowing Wates teams across various sites, while a further five have been offered a place at the Loughborough University summer camp run by Wates later this year.

(CM/JG)